[GuidoK]

F1 2025: Bahrain GP - Sakhir (Apr 13)

Schedule:
https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2025/bahrain
(adjusts automatically to your local time/date depending on your browsers/internet settings)

Bahrain International Circuit



Circuit stats:
First Grand Prix: 2004
Number of Laps: 57
Circuit Length: 5.412 km
Race Distance: 308.238 km
Lap Record: 1:31.447 (Pedro de la Rosa 2005)

Onboard Lap:
(2024 Max Verstappen pole lap)

2024 thread:
https://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2084777

2024 race highlights:

2024 lollypop comic:

[GuidoK]

So what are your predictions of the 2nd race in this triple header series (JPN/BAH/SAU)?
After the very boring but very surprising Suzuka GP Max Verstappen showed that even in a 'slower' car he's always there to get his maximum profit by means of performing at just the right level at just the right time and place.
But will the RB be strong enough in the hot Bahrain climate or will McLaren's superior speed and tyre deg be king in the hot desert?
And are other teams/contenders still a serious candidate for a victory?
This is my prediction:

1. PIA
2. NOR
3. VER
4. LEC
5. ANT
6. HAM
7. TSU
8. RUS
9. ALB
10. HAD

[M5Rick]

1. Max
2. Pia
3. Nor
4. Lec
5. Rus
6. Tsu
7. Ham
8. Alb
9. Bea
10. Had

[Killed by Death]

My Ferrari prediction

[wizardofOz]

1. Lando
2. Max
3. Oscar
4. Yuki
5. Hadjar
6. Albon

[dfox]

1 Piastri
2 Max
3 Lando
4 Hamilton
5 Russel
6 Leclerc
7 Kimi
8 Albon
9 Hadjar
10 Stroll

I think Piastri gets his time. Qualifies better than Lando and can bring it to Max. We also see a slight return to form for Ferrari. Kimi continues to rule the rookies. Hadjar continues to overperform. Stroll actually made my list because he's been outshining Alo this year...

[Rono63]

It’s hard not to pick Max for P1, he consistently is able to get the RB21 to perform well above what it should.

Have said that I’m thinking my McLaren guys will be able to get it done.

They still need to improve a lot in strategy. Seems who ever qualifies higher takes priority regardless of which one is faster during the race.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

My Ferrari prediction

My prediction is a Ferrari drivers war => https://www.m3post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=672

[Artemis]

Bahrain and Jeddah compared to the past three venues: different climate - different car performance.

Let's wait and see how the cars react to this change in atmospheric conditions.

My guess: McLaren and Ferrari cope better.

"How does the weather impact F1 teams and drivers?"
RBR - May 16, 2024
https://www.redbull.com/int-en/how-w...acts-f1-racing
Hot and cold
In F1 history, race weekend temperatures have ranged from 5°C to 42.5°C. The rule of thumb is that the hotter the day, the less grip there is on the track. This is because F1 tyres are already heated when put on to the cars and generate more heat as they run on the track, so when a track’s surface is also really hot, it can cause the tyres to overheat and wear out much faster.
F1 cars normally run on slick tyres – smooth tyres that provide the maximum contact with the racing surface – and these need to be brought up to their optimal operating temperature of 100ºC where the rubber softens and connects with the track. The tyre maker Pirelli provides tyres for each race in a variety of soft to hard compounds suited to the surface and anticipated temperature. There are six types of tyre – the hardest C0 to the softest C5 – and all have a limited lifespan, meaning the teams must pit to use up the tyre allocation.
If it is cold, the tyres will last longer but not perform as well or if it is too hot, they deteriorate more quickly, potentially forcing another pit stops. It’s down to the team and driver to figure out which is the best tyre and how to use them, but as a rule of thumb, you’d use a hard tyre in hot weather and on an abrasive track like Bahrain and super softs on a smooth street circuit like Monaco."

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Bahrain and Jeddah compared to the past three venues: different climate - different car performance.

Let's wait and see how the cars react to this change in atmospheric conditions.

My guess: McLaren and Ferrari cope better.

Exactly

The Bahrain asphalt layer will be hotter . Hotter asphalt means hotter tyres and more tyre wear (graining)
The McLaren advantage is extremely fast and less of tyre wear (since Miami 2024)
It looks like the McLaren tyres last forever , at least in clean air ..

P1 and P2 is for McLaren at Bahrain .
MAX can fight for the podium..

[G30M]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

So what are your predictions of the 2nd race in this triple header series (JPN/BAH/SAU)?

i just don't know anymore. howabout NOT Ferrari?

(this is useful on so many levels)

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

My Ferrari prediction

But within Ferrari the prediction:
Lewis or Charles?

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

But within Ferrari the prediction:
Lewis or Charles?

2021 Bahrain GP - Hamilton:

Track limits are enforced in the meantime to limit this type of abuse (black-and-white flag).

But the most effective way to discourage gaining a speed advantage by violating track limits: gravel trap or bigger curb.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Exactly

The Bahrain asphalt layer will be hotter . Hotter asphalt means hotter tyres and more tyre wear (graining)
The McLaren advantage is extremely fast and less of tyre wear (since Miami 2024)
It looks like the McLaren tyres last forever , at least in clean air ..

P1 and P2 is for McLaren at Bahrain .
MAX can fight for the podium..

Any more info if Wache is doing anything, like Stella has done, in cooling the tyres of the 21 like with new sculpted brake drums..

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Bahrain and Jeddah compared to the past three venues: different climate - different car performance.

Let's wait and see how the cars react to this change in atmospheric conditions.

My guess: McLaren and Ferrari cope better.

"How does the weather impact F1 teams and drivers?"
RBR - May 16, 2024
https://www.redbull.com/int-en/how-w...acts-f1-racing
Hot and cold
In F1 history, race weekend temperatures have ranged from 5°C to 42.5°C. The rule of thumb is that the hotter the day, the less grip there is on the track. This is because F1 tyres are already heated when put on to the cars and generate more heat as they run on the track, so when a track’s surface is also really hot, it can cause the tyres to overheat and wear out much faster.
F1 cars normally run on slick tyres – smooth tyres that provide the maximum contact with the racing surface – and these need to be brought up to their optimal operating temperature of 100ºC where the rubber softens and connects with the track. The tyre maker Pirelli provides tyres for each race in a variety of soft to hard compounds suited to the surface and anticipated temperature. There are six types of tyre – the hardest C0 to the softest C5 – and all have a limited lifespan, meaning the teams must pit to use up the tyre allocation.
If it is cold, the tyres will last longer but not perform as well or if it is too hot, they deteriorate more quickly, potentially forcing another pit stops. It’s down to the team and driver to figure out which is the best tyre and how to use them, but as a rule of thumb, you’d use a hard tyre in hot weather and on an abrasive track like Bahrain and super softs on a smooth street circuit like Monaco."

Softs would be quickly destroyed on a hot abrasive track like Bahrain.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

My Ferrari prediction

I read that it was discovered that LEW's car had a broken floor which wasn't discovered until now.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Artemis

2021 Bahrain GP - Hamilton:

Track limits are enforced in the meantime to limit this type of abuse (black-and-white flag).

But the most effective way to discourage gaining a speed advantage by violating track limits: gravel trap or bigger curb.

Yeah . LEW exceeded -29 times- the track limits in just one race (!)

I'm not sure , but think that's a F1 record ...
And of course : No penalty for LEW or whatsoever (!)

The FIA regulations work very well

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Yeah . LEW exceeded -29 times- the track limits in just one race (!)

I'm not sure , but think that's a F1 record ...
And of course : No penalty for LEW or whatsoever (!)

The FIA regulations work very well

F1 2021 Bahrain race highlights: here.

The 29 track limits violations in Turn 4 contributed in securing the 2021 Bahrain race victory for Hamilton (gaining a speed advantage). Given the frequency: intentional - not accidental. We don't know whether also Verstappen committed the same unsportsmanlike behavior so blatantly in Turn 4 during that GP. We do know though that Verstappen was required to give P1 back to Hamilton after a track limits violation in the closing stages of that race. Hamilton 25 points - Verstappen 18 points. The controversial opening of a controversial season with a fitting end, as if all 'unpaid season 2021 bills' were settled by the proverbial 'race gods' during the final lap of the 2021 season.

In May 2021, Verstappen acknowledged that "we do need to find a solution" to the ongoing issues around track limits. "Of course I understand, some tracks we race together on with MotoGP, and of course they want a bit different kerbs to what we like. But I think we still need to find a bit of, let's say, middle way which works for both. With our cornering speeds, basically we can really abuse the whole track because of the grip we have with the cars, which just makes it really difficult sometimes to really judge proper track limits. But from my side, I think we should try and put a bit more gravel back in places. Of course it's sometimes not what tracks want, because when you have track days and people go off, the gravel comes onto the track, they need to clean it, it all costs money to put it back in place. But I think it's just sometimes a bit confusing, also from the outside where, you know some places you run onto a kerb, some places are policed with a white line…"
(https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...NEAxistIRrC6HN)

In the meantime, use of the black-and-white flag has been refreshed:

Williams:
"The Black and White Flag: Unsportsmanlike Behavior
The black-and-white flag warns a driver of their unsportsmanlike behaviour or minor infringements.
It's akin to a yellow card in football, where there is no immediate impact to the recipient but tells them that their actions are under scrutiny, and further infractions could result in a penalty.
Dangerous driving, such as unsafely compromising other drivers, exceeding track limits, or other unsportsmanlike behaviour, might trigger the black-and-white flag.
Marshals will show the black-and-white flag alongside a board with the unsporting car's number to indicate which driver is at fault."
(https://www.williamsf1.com/posts/3cd...s-of-formula-1)

Red Bull Racing:
"Black and white flag
In Formula 1 racing, the black and white flag is used as a warning flag to indicate unsportsmanlike conduct or a breach of racing regulations. When this flag is shown to a driver, it serves as a cautionary measure to alert them that their driving behavior has been observed and deemed questionable by race officials.
The black and white flag is typically displayed alongside the car number on the start/finish line or shown by marshals at specific points on the track. It signifies that the driver has been involved in an incident or engaged in actions that are considered potentially dangerous or in violation of the racing rules.
The purpose of the black and white flag is to notify the driver that they need to modify their driving behavior to ensure fair competition and maintain safety standards. It acts as a warning to the driver to refrain from further unsportsmanlike conduct or rule infractions.
Although the black and white flag itself does not impose a penalty on the driver, it serves as a signal that their actions have been noticed and that further penalties, such as a drive-through or stop-and-go penalty, could be imposed if the behavior persists or worsens.
Drivers who receive the black and white flag should take it seriously, assess their driving actions, and make adjustments to adhere to the regulations and maintain a safe racing environment. Continuous disregard for the warning may result in additional penalties being imposed by race officials.
Should a driver continue to drive in such a way after receiving a warning, they may receive a punishment, for example, a time penalty, a drive-through penalty, or a stop-and-go penalty."
(https://www.redbull.com/au-en/formula-1-flags-explained)

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Yeah . LEW exceeded -29 times- the track limits in just one race (!)

I'm not sure , but think that's a F1 record ...
And of course : No penalty for LEW or whatsoever (!)

The FIA regulations work very well

Those ignored rules then won't be repeated here.
As far as the Laren threat goes at this track I'm thinking Yuki will be expected to go much better here with less guesswork in his setup and maybe help MAX being utilised more effectively in a positive way keeping in mind that the big 21 upgrade may be 2 or 3 races away.

[Killed by Death]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

But within Ferrari the prediction:
Lewis or Charles?

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

I read that it was discovered that LEW's car had a broken floor which wasn't discovered until now.

It was.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Those ignored rules then won't be repeated here.
As far as the Laren threat goes at this track I'm thinking Yuki will be expected to go much better here with less guesswork in his setup and maybe help MAX being utilised more effectively in a positive way keeping in mind that the big 21 upgrade may be 2 or 3 races away.

.