[Official] Bahrain Grand Prix 2021: Grand Prix Weekend Thread - Round 1 of 23

[Adam43]

Well I don’t know if you think that post was the best post of the century or completely inaccurate. But whatevs

We could talk about the race.

Which is looking fun, if only ‘cus the grids a bit different and we still don’t fully understand the natural order.

[chavez]

Will Verstappen rise to the occasion tomorrow?

The weight of expectation has not sat well with him in the past. He performs best when others are favoured to win.

If he can win tomorrow we might just have an contender. But first he needs to make it around the sighting lap........

[Greem]

Alonso managed to pack his mythical "6 tenths" and bring it along to Alpine then

I really enjoyed that qualifying session. Watched it with my son, and afterwards the Mrs said she knew it was good from all the "oooooooooooh" and "aaaaaah" and "YES!" that was emanating from the front room.

The race is looking set to be a blinder!

[mj088]

Anyone else seeing parallel between Sergio Perez and Giancarlo Fisichella? Both burst onto the scene looking like future champions, both never really fulfilled potential and spent years as decent midfield runners taking off podiums, both had an unexpected first win which helped get them into a top team only to look average against a superstar already established in the team...

I hope quali was just a one off and Perez gets some confidence in the race and beyond,he didn't look anywhere near Max based on free practice

[Aysedasi]

Enjoyable qually. Great work by Max. Despite getting their fastest team laps in, nor much to choose between Leclerc and Sainz nor between Ricciardo and Norris. Felt sorry for Checo, he didn't get to grips with it did he? But I still believe he will prove to be a better bet than most of the juniors have been. Vettel though, good grief, could that have been any worse a start? Despite not being his greatest fan, I was hoping that the mojo would have been found in amongst the fluff and cat hairs under the bookcase, but it seems not..... Looking forward to the race.

[Greem]

Will Vettel get a grid penalty after his trip to the stewards?

(Side note: I know one of the stewards there this weekend... hopefully nothing controversial happens!)

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Greem

Will Vettel get a grid penalty after his trip to the stewards?

(Side note: I know one of the stewards there this weekend... hopefully nothing controversial happens!)

Well, if he does, at least it won't make much difference!

[steve nielsen]

5 place gridpenalty for Vettel it is.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Didn't the stewards clear Vettel, Stroll, Russell and Ocon, after it was alleged they had not respected yellow flags at turn eight?

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Didn't the stewards clear Vettel, Stroll, Russell and Ocon, after it was alleged they had not respected yellow flags at turn eight?

For the Ferrari incident, yes.....

[Akrapovic]

Penalised for not slowing down under the yellow flags...that didn't exist.

The FIA agrees that the yellows were not out, however he should have expected the yellows, and therefore has been penalised.

I'm normally the first to argue about drivers disrespecting safety, but this one is ridiculous.

[chillibowl]

Its always something in F1. I love it!

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Penalised for not slowing down under the yellow flags...that didn't exist.

The FIA agrees that the yellows were not out, however he should have expected the yellows, and therefore has been penalised.

I'm normally the first to argue about drivers disrespecting safety, but this one is ridiculous.

That is ridiculous.

Does that now set a precedent for drivers being penalised for not expecting the yellow flag, even if there is no yellow flag?

[Adam43]

Never rains but it pours with old Vettee.

I hope he has a good race. I’m rooting for him.

[Aysedasi]

Me too. Punishing someone for not respecting a non-existent flag is just bananas....

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Me too. Punishing someone for not respecting a non-existent flag is just bananas....

Isn't there a danger that this will have now set a precedent, so that a driver will be able to jump the start because he merely anticipated the red lights going out?

[Aysedasi]

Slightly different Mike, but hell, why not!

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Adam43

Never rains but it pours with old Vettee.

I hope he has a good race. I’m rooting for him.

Vettee has also been given three penalty points on his licence.

[Greem]

Well now, here's the thing:

Originally Posted by FIA Race Directors' Event Notes Version 2

7) Observing yellow flags during free practice and qualifying
7.1 Double waved: Any driver passing through a double waved yellow marshalling sector must reduce speed significantly and be prepared to change direction or stop. In order for the stewards to be satisfied that any such driver has complied with these requirements it must be clear that he has not attempted to set a meaningful lap time, for practical purposes this means the driver should abandon the lap (this does not necessarily mean he has to pit as the track could well be clear the following lap).

7.2 Single waved: Drivers should reduce their speed and be prepared to change direction. It must be clear that a driver has reduced speed and, in order for this to be clear, a driver would be expected to have braked earlier and/or discernibly reduced speed in the relevant marshalling sector.
Drivers should not overtake any car in a single waved yellow marshalling sector unless it is clear that a car is slowing with a completely obvious problem, e.g. obvious accident damage or a deflated tyre.

Interesting stuff. So it was 7.1 above that Vettel fell foul of - that of attempting to set a meaningful time.

[Greem]

Perez with a dead car on the parade lap. Has to be an aborted start.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Perez out already.

Edit: Start delayed.

[Greem]

Race distance will be reduced by one lap. Well, it should be.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Perez out already.

Edit: Start delayed.

Looks like he's going to start the race though.

[chillibowl]

Im nervous excited

[crmalcolm]

Verstappen stretching the field on both formation laps. Deliberate, or an error?