2018 Bahrain F1 Grandprix

[Nitrodaze]

The F1 roadshow heads to the floodlite desert track of Bahrain. The scene of the epic battle of will between Hamilton and Rosberg in 2014. Hamilton comes into this race bruised from a win that got away from him at Australia. The Mercedes team being reminded by Ferrari that they intend to spoil the party for the dominant Mercedes whenever the Petronas team is anything short of being perfect.

Although Vettel was third best all weekend at Melbourne, he lucked into a win due to the VSC and a software glitch on the bank of computers of the Mercedes pitwall. Vettel would take heart from this win and come into this weekend with the belief that Mercedes can be beaten. He certainly wiped the smile from Hamilton's face. But Hamilton shall be very determined to return the favour at this weekend at Bahrain.
The three long straight of Sekar would suggest that this is a track that would suit the Mercedes. But the overall lap suggest that Ferrari might have a toe in the fight for a win.

This is a race where a few teams are looking to better their performances at Australia. The Redbulls did not get a chance to show how competitive they are. Hence we should not rule out a surprise Redbull win this weekend. Especially if one of the Redbulls qualify in the first two rows of the grid.

Haas also have something to prove. They spectacularly dropped the ball in Australia. It is hard enough in the very tight midfield to be making that sort of costly mistake. So they would be very keen to finish the race without pitstop errors. Amid claims that the Hass is last year's Ferrari, which Stiener vehemently denies, l fully expect them to get in the hair of the Redbulls again. A situation that Ferrari no doubt are aware of, the utility of Haas harassing the Redbull gives Ferrari a free run at the Mercedes. If this situation continues till the end of the season, the title fight shall be a head to head between an unperturbed Ferrari and Mercedes.

That said who would you put your money on to win the race this weekend?