2021 Race 1 Bahrain

[F1nKS]

After 1st practice

1. Max 1:31.394s
2. Bottas +0.298s
3. Norris +0.503s
4. Hamilton +0.527s
5. Lec +0.599s

[F1nKS]

after fp2

1. Max 1:30.847
2. Norris +0.095s
3. Hamilton +0.235s
4. Sainz +0.28s
5. Bottas +0.371s

[airshifter]

It will be interesting to see what happens for P3 and qually.

Any sandbagging should be out the window soon, and tomorrow we start figuring out true race pace.

I hope the midfield tightens up towards the front so we get more quality racing again this year!

[Nitrodaze]

Redbull looks genuinely the fastest. Mclaren is looking very good. Mercedes probably have a little more in the bag, but l doubt we shall see it this weekend. But the W12 look better behaved through both practices. It is interesting that we have not seen enough of Sergio Perez, l am sure he would be very close to Verstappen. Where are the Aston Martin's.

The top of the midfield seems crowded. Ferrari seems close enough to bother third place sitter. But they have very rapid Alpine and Alpha Tauri to contend with.

Yuki Tsunoda continue to impress. I think Gasly has a fight on his hands.

[The Black Knight]

It’s looking close but I have a feeling Mercedes are okay to lose 2021 to concentrate on 2022. I would if I were them anyway. The rule changes for next year are massive.

Hopefully an exciting year and I can’t wait to get rid of these donkey cars for next year. I was watching a 2005 F1 race last week and the cars look so alive compared to these monsters. These cars are so big they look far slower than they are.

[F1nKS]

Not much happening in FP3. Max came out late and put together his best run.

1. Max 1:30:577
2. Ham +0.739s
3. Gasly +1.006s
4. Bott +1.278s
5. Perez +1.33

It should be interesting qualifying, just because nobody really know the pecking order. It does look like RB has a good chance, but I think Hamilton is eating up this challenge and I won't be surprised if he is on poll position.

[F1nKS]

Tsunoda looks like a rookie, exciting rookie, but a rookie. Put amazing run in Q1, but gets eliminated in Q2.

Perez has a terrible qualifying out in Q2.

Vettel out in Q1

[Nitrodaze]

Wow! What a lap by Verstappen? Well, Mercedes have a fight on their hands and it seems it is not going to be easy. What about Gasly? What a strong showing just when Perez fumbles out of Q2.

The Ferrari is quick in Leclerc's hands. They seem strong for the fight for third in the constructors this season. A great step forward by Ferrari.

[F1nKS]

Winners and Losers from Qualification

Big Winner - Max

Winners
Leclerc (Ferrari looks to have made a jump to top of midfield)
Gasly
Ricardo
Merc (still pulled 2 and 3, and will be in position to win tomorrow, especially with Perez performance).


Losers
Vettel
Perez (Alex Albon can do this and probably cheaper)
Ocon
Maza-spin

[The Black Knight]

Tsunoda looks like a rookie, exciting rookie, but a rookie. Put amazing run in Q1, but gets eliminated in Q2.

Perez has a terrible qualifying out in Q2.

Vettel out in Q1

I think Tsunoda’s out lap was hindered by traffic and his car was no in the right window for final Q2 qualifying. He was easily outpacing Gasly up to that point. He has the early hallmarks of a great of the sport. I hope he lives up to his obvious ability.

Nice to see a battle out front. I think given the improvement they have made we may see Mercedes outpace RBR in 2-3 races. It’s a long season.

Qualifying was great but I find it ruined by the
Sky Sports F1 commentary. Crofty, Brundle are utter rubbish, making unfounded assumptions about Max’s car that the floor was damaged amongst the many bullshit they spout. Brundle, Crofty, Lazenby should all be fired from F1. Listening to them and their idiotic commentary making nonsense assumptions that they clearly know nothing about is painful. Year on year they are getting worse and worse. They are utter tripe.