Bahrain GP Qualifying: The Usual Suspects
Written by George Katinger · April 14, 2007
Ferrari’s, McLaren’s and BMW Sauber’s at the front. The surprise may be in the order of Qualifying.
planet-f1.com: Lewis: `I could have taken pole`
autosport.com: Massa plans to give Hamilton no room
autosport.com: Hamilton unfazed by Massa’s warning
With Felipe Massa on pole, Lewis Hamilton 2nd, Kimi Raikkonen 3rd and reigning world champion Fernando Alonso 4th, are the Q results based on fuel loads?
The Ferrari’s and McLarens were virtually neck and neck in practice times, to post these results makes me wonder at the fuel loads of the cars. Look at the time differentials:
Massa, .283 seconds quicker than Hamilton
Hamilton, .196 quicker than Raikkonen
Raikkonen, .061 quicker than Alonso
You can attribute the differences to wind, dirty track conditions, fuel loads, or driving skills. I think the abilities of all four are relatively equal, conditions on track were the same for all, and I think the cars are close as well. That leads me to my fuel load theory. The first pit stops will reveal the strategies of all.
More important to the race outcome will be Felipe Massa’s mental strength alongside Lewis Hamilton at race start and turn 1. Hamilton’s comment about tricking Massa into outbraking himself last week in Malayasia will have an impact on Massa’s mental approach tomorrow. Hamilton has shown no reluctance to press and considerable skill and luck at his first two starts. If Hamilton gains the lead at turn one, will we see Massa off in the sand attempting passes, as in Sepang?
I think Felipe will have a difficult start and may yet again lose a spot at turn one. Regardless, the strategy appears to have Massa and Hamilton pitting first with Raikkonen and Alonso slugging it out on longer first stints. The closeness of Alonso and Raikkonen’s times may develop into a great race between the two, and may be the fight for the top podium step.
The early form of the BMW Sauber duo continues to surprise, as does the total lack of performance from the Renault’s and Toyota’s. Honda is turning into a bottom tier team for 2007, with absolutely no chance of winning, or even gaining any points.
So the usual suspects will be fighting for the podium tomorrow, with a BMW Sauber having a long shot if any of the leaders screw the pooch or break down. A great race should be in store, let’s enjoy the show!
Bahrain GP - Saturday - Qualifying Session Results
Saturday Qualifying Session
POS DRIVER NATIONALITY ENTRANT TIME
1. Felipe Massa Brazil Ferrari 1:32.652
2. Lewis Hamilton Britain McLaren-Mercedes 1:32.935
3. Kimi Raikkonen Finland Ferrari 1:33.131
4. Fernando Alonso Spain McLaren-Mercedes 1:33.192
5. Nick Heidfeld Germany BMW 1:33.404
6. Robert Kubica Poland BMW 1:33.710
7. Giancarlo Fisichella Italy Renault 1:34.056
8. Mark Webber Australia Red Bull-Renault 1:34.106
9. Jarno Trulli Italy Toyota 1:34.154
10. Nico Rosberg Germany Williams-Toyota 1:34.399
11. Alexander Wurz Austria Williams-Toyota 1:32.915
12. Heikki Kovalainen Finland Renault 1:32.935
13. Anthony Davidson Britain Super Aguri-Honda 1:33.082
14. Ralf Schumacher Germany Toyota 1:33.294
15. Rubens Barrichello Brazil Honda 1:33.624
16. Jenson Button Britain Honda 1:33.731
17. Takuma Sato Japan Super Aguri-Honda 1:33.984
18. Vitantonio Liuzzi Italy Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:34.024
19. Scott Speed United States Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:34.333
20. Adrian Sutil Germany Spyker-Ferrari 1:35.280
21. David Coulthard Britain Red Bull-Renault 1:35.341
22. Christijan Albers Netherlands Spyker-Ferrari 1:35.533
Comments
5 Responses to “Bahrain GP Qualifying: The Usual Suspects”
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So I’m not hearing much ranting about Ralfie this year. Starting a second behind his teammate an also behind the other Toyota powered cars makes me wonder if he shouldn’t be offering a rebate this year. Now that Michael is out of F1, can Ralfie survive?
Yeah, how about that Ralfie! See my March 10 posting, “Pre-season Humor: I’m A Top Three Driver”.
Davidson and his Super Aguri were 2/10 quicker. Hopefully Ant will keep Schumi Lite in 14th at the start.
Regarding pole & the run into the first corner, when Massa starts making announcements that he will give no room & be more “aggressive” I start to see carnage.
Yes, it’s likely Massa will introduce Hamilton to his first DNF before he experiences his first “W”!
It’s the usual suspects at the front, along with those with the usual prospects sitting in 15th and 16th.