[Official] Rate the race: Bahrain Grand Prix

[Knowlesy]

Originally Posted by fourWheelDrift

If you remember I voiced concern after Benedict did it last time, not because he did a bad job (he didn't) but because it obviously opened the door for all sort of 'A' listers who are utterly ignorant of and irrelevant to F1 being asked to do it. We didn't have to wait long for my worst fears to be realised.

I did think of you when I saw him waddling up to the drivers.

Thing is, though, the podium interviews are junk whoever is doing the questioning. On the rare occasions someone actually asks an interesting question (this has possibly never happened) the drivers immediately launch into a "great crowd, I just wanna thank my team, it's been a privilege racing here". Honestly, we should just knock all interviews on the head, they are a complete waste of everybody's time.

A lot of the time the interviewer just makes a statement rather than asks a question. "Sebastien well done. Pole, win and the fastest lap."

We need someone up there asking the hard questions and coaxing controversy from the tired and emotional drivers wherever possible. For example today, someone needed to ask Rosberg why he was *****ing on the radio, or to tell Perez that Hulkenberg complained he was acting the tit. It won't exactly further harm the sport as Bernie is busy waging a campaign against it anyways. Stock "how do you feel?" nonsense just doesn't cut it anymore.

[Oldtony]

Gave it a 9.
Only dropped one because I believe the new tech regulations have the ability to produce something even better during the year.
Welcome back REAL Formula 1
Shut up Luca and Bernie!

[stripedcat]

An 8. Best race of the season - so far. What really made it was of course the Hamilton/Rosberg battle for the lead - some what reminiscent of a Mansell/Piquet or Prost/Senna battle. Plus, it was on a dry track.

There was also some decent racing further down the field - poor Alonso was getting mugged on the straights!

Well done to Riccardio for getting from 13th to 4th.

All of this - and I'm not a fan of the Bahrain track - so that says a lot for how good this race was.

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by canamman

My tens are reserved for the whole podium battling for the win on the last laps, which is rare.

I also don't give out a 10/10 easily. I look for that type of podium battle, but also with end of season WDC implications!

Regardless, I gave it an eight. I think the primary negative was Mercedes running off for everyone. But otherwise I think it was a great race!

Richard

[Neil22]

9. Outstanding!

[F1Pete]

Back to the Brian Johnson thing.....I have been watching F1 since the GV days. When an old driver like Jackie Stewart or Niki Lauda does an interview....sure us guys who have been following F1 have an idea who these people are. For new fans, these guys don't mean a thing. I will read on F1 news somewhere about the answers to the important questions. Having a celeb who a lot of people can relate to interview the drivers to me is a cool thing or at least a change from the norm (I guess I was just Thunderstruck like the other guy who posted). Every podium interview is mostly a post celebration and congratulatory so there hasn't been too many tough questions asked that require answers. Gone are the Peter Windsor interview days in the serious setting post race (We don't get post race interviews (the serious ones) on tv anymore.

[GORDON STREETER]

I gave it a 9 and it would have been a 10 if the Mercs hadn't ran away, however it kept me on the edge of the sofa especially after the safety car came out.
As for Maldonado !!!!!

[MagnetON]

Originally Posted by cobraRed01

How would you rate the race If the full course caution didn't bunch everyone up at the end?

Up until that point a good solid 7 was on the cards as there was still racing through the field.

[GT6]

goodt race but ominous warning that unless the others catch up the season is going to be two cars in one race and everyone else racing for scrapes gave it an 8

[steve_r]

10 - one of the best races for years.

[John Turner]

9 - Excellent racing all the way down the field, and probably as good as any I've seen in F1 in ..... ahem ..... circa 50 years!

[pauln]

9 - Excellent racing and 4 teams letting their drivers race each other. It would have been a 10 if another team had been involved right at the front.

[TrapezeArtist]

Originally Posted by GT6

goodt race but ominous warning that unless the others catch up the season is going to be two cars in one race and everyone else racing for scrapes gave it an 8

Two races for the price of one! And if both of them are as good as the one we have just seen ........

[davyboy]

Excellent race... really enjoyed it. We just need the rest of them to be as exciting as that.

[Beetle]

8 - The new era of Formula 1 is finally beginning to take off. Huge difference from the first two rounds. The night conditions helped make it even more of a spectacle.

Now Bernie looks rather silly, does he not?

[Adam43]

But before the race it seemed he was more in tune with the fans than for a good while!

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Beetle

8 - The new era of Formula 1 is finally beginning to take off. Huge difference from the first two rounds. The night conditions helped make it even more of a spectacle.

Now Bernie looks rather silly, does he not?

It's early days yet and and although yesterday's race was a cracker it would be great to see China can follow on.

[Greem]

9 from me too. Didn't get to watch it live (was waving flags and writing reports at Silverstone), but watched the highlights last night after discovering my TiVo had decided to not record the race. What I saw in the highlights was what I remember F1 being - full of intrigue and action.

Slightly perturbed by the Maldonado incident, though.

[Bononi]

8, for all the good the reasons.

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by Beetle

8 - The new era of Formula 1 is finally beginning to take off. Huge difference from the first two rounds. The night conditions helped make it even more of a spectacle.

Now Bernie looks rather silly, does he not?

One swallow doesn't make a summer. Like all fans, I hope that it's the beginning of a long series of great races. It may not work out like that however...

[aki13]

Who voted a 2 out of interest. haha

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by aki13

Who voted a 2 out of interest. haha

Somebody with very high standards I imagine ... the poll details are here by the way.

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by aki13

Who voted a 2 out of interest. haha

Too high, eh?

It is someone who hasn't posted since November last year.

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by davyboy

One swallow doesn't make a summer. Like all fans, I hope that it's the beginning of a long series of great races. It may not work out like that however...

i hope so. one day on and im feeling a little red that i went to 10 for this race.

it was a great race but was it great in its own right or was i just so happy to finally see something positive for a change i went overboard with my vote.

fortunately an 11 is still one the table for when something truly amazing happens

[Aysedasi]

I don't think I've ever given a race a 10, but I enjoyed that more than I have a GP for many, many years - so hell, why not.

Guys, are we going to have a whip round for some flowers and chocs for Spritle - he's clearly not very well........