Driver of the Epic Race - Bahrain

[steveaki13]

Anyway.

My Driver of the Day is Daniel Ricciardo

It was once more close between him and others but I feel that 13th to 4th was a great drive regardless of the issues Seb had. If that had been by a Mercedes it would not be as impressive, but considering how strong the Mercedes engine was I thought against the odds and early struggles he done a great job.

It was so close though, I thought a lot of drivers did a great job today.

Other Mentions: in no particular order

Lewis Hamilton - Brilliant job defending from Rosberg ALL day. I disagree with those who say his defending was too hard. I have always been a supporter of strong defensive driving. I remember being one of the few supporting Schumacher in Monza in his Mercedes in 2011 or 2012. Which ever year it was that he was nearly on the podium.

Nico Rosberg - I actually thought Nico did a great job today too, before the SC he raced well on a different tyres and passed Hamilton 3 or 4 times and didn't even look like losing his head wheel to wheel. Could easily have won the race.

Sergio Perez - A really composed drive. He started 4th and at times got shuffled down to 6th and 7th, but stayed on it and past Hulkenberg late on. A fine Podium.

Nico Hulkenberg - Another great drive in a day of great drives. 11th to 5th is another good effort in a midfield that is always competitive.

Sebastian Vettel - Seb was another one who drove well. He was fighting several problems and overcame then to go from 10th to 6th.

Max Chilton - He is doing a decent job this year for Marussia. He has finished all 3 races, which for the team is important. He hasn't gotten into incidents like Bianchi who tangled with Maldonado in Malaysia and Sutil today and he has two 13th places and a 15th. Decent effort. Also 22 out of 22 finishes.

[driveace]

Great to see the battle of the last 11 laps between the two Mercedes drivers.Lewis did the better job at the start,and did a brilliant job of holding onto the place throughout the race.Nico had the faster car and in the last stint the better tyres,and the racing between them was fair and hard.Just a pity that today they had to show the opposition just how fast the Merc is .And glad with Jean Todd,s reaction to RB and Ferrari about letting them change the fuel regulator,as he said "I never heard Nico complain this year,and cannot remember Seb complain for the last 4 years,it's only when these teams are not dominant that they complain about the rules" Me Horner is just not as smug as he has been these last 4 years now !

[dj_bytedisaster]

There was nothing wrong with the defending that Lewis did today. It was all completely 100% harsh but fair. I guess it was inevitable that there would be at least one person complaining about it though.

Sorry, but weren't drivers supposed to leave enough space? We had people raising holy hell about Vettel pushing Alonso off at Monza, forcing him with 2 wheels off the track - lewis did that 3 times today. One time (1st lap) he squeezed so far out, Rosberg had to leave the track with all four wheel to prevent a collision. How does that work out?

[The Black Knight]

Sorry, but weren't drivers supposed to leave enough space? We had people raising holy hell about Vettel pushing Alonso off at Monza, forcing him with 2 wheels off the track - lewis did that 3 times today. One time (1st lap) he squeezed so far out, Rosberg had to leave the track with all four wheel to prevent a collision. How does that work out?

Doesn't bother me honestly. I had no issue with what Vettel did at Monza either. In fact, it's one of the few times I have defended Vettel. If the boys can't take a bit of hard racing then they should go home and cry under their bed - F1 world is too much for them.

[dj_bytedisaster]

Doesn't bother me honestly. I had no issue with what Vettel did at Monza either. In fact, it's one of the few times I have defended Vettel. If the boys can't take a bit of hard racing then they should go home and cry under their bed - F1 world is too much for them.

Problem is inconsistecy though. Vettel got punished. A year before - alonso did not get punished for the same offense. Schuimacher was let go. This year HAM did also not get punished. Rosberg did not get punished in China 2012, Maldonado did get punsihed last year at Spa (although- seriously- that guy can't be punished enough). Either all or nobody: FIA must decide what's what.

[Whyzars]

Driver of the day was Rosilton.

The Mercedes finished 24 seconds in front of the next team in the 16 lap sprint race even though the drivers were focused on scaring the pants off each other and having the time of their lives.

Reminded me of a couple of mates hooning around in Go Karts which I guess they are when it gets down to it. They actually had time to go into the pits, put their Dad's in the drivers seats and let them mess around for a couple of laps. Amazing.

Mercedes have done the hard yards. All class.


Ferrari might as well not bother with the rest of the season. The shots in their garage was not a happy one - probably thinking "We are Ferrari, why do we interest ourselves in saving fuel?".

At 2 seconds a lap. its only a matter of time before Mercedes's start lapping Ferrari's and that will be painful to watch. Interesting times.

[Mia 01]

Sergio Perez drove a good race.

[Storm]

Rosberg for me...even Hamilton was very good.
Ricciardo definitely needs to be mentioned, as does Perez.

[aryan]

DotR for me was Ricciardo. The boy finally got some reward for the awesome work he's been doing. Seriously it was overdue for his turn of fortune. Brilliant drive, and that pass on Seb was pure class.

Very honourable mention to Hamilton, I couldn't believe he held Nico off. That was a very entertaining battle, a classic indeed.

Good job also by Perez, who beat a well-regarded Hulk when it mattered and then held off Ricciardo. Well earned return to podium.

[henners88]

I couldn't give Hamilton the driver of the race in Malaysia because it looked far too easy, but yesterday I think he worked hard for it. Rosberg drove superbly too and if the other teams are no match for Mercedes its nice to see both drivers are allowed to race to the bitter end. It was nice to see both drivers attack aggressively but know where to draw the line and it must have given the pit wall a few heart in mouth moments. Great stuff!

There was some great racing up and down the field too and I think Ricciardo deserves a mention for making up so much ground. Perez showed McLaren why they were too quick to get rid of him. A thoroughly enjoyable race and dare I say the best race for a couple of years IMHO.