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2006 BAHRAIN GP-RACE REVIEW | |||
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Halt all developments, ban the return of cars to
factories, keep everything the same, for if nothing changes this year, we are in
for a fantastic season. Bahrain has done us proud as the season opener, with overtaking a prominent feature of the race, and compelling action, leaving us all on the edge of our seats. It may have been a familiar result, but it is clear that all the top teams are increddibly close. Alonso took a controlled and impressive victory, but he was chased home all the way by Michael Schumacher in the rejuvenated Ferrari, with Kimi Raikkonen only 18 seconds behind, having started 22nd on the grid. Further back, Jenson Button and Juan Pablo Montoya also challenged for the podium, and Button in particular was mighty, with several daring moves into turn one, and would have finished higher had he not suffered a clutch glitch at the start. Yet, it was the typical three who broke through, and who are expected to fight tooth and nail for this year's championship, which promises to be the most competitive in years. Schumacher and Alonso were close all race. After making a strong start, Schumacher led the field away, while Alonso forced his way past Massa to gain second. Button starting from third made a poor start and dropped to fifth, which would ultimately compromise his race. Schumacher pulled out a small lead while Massa closed up on Alonso. Massa, who impressed so much in qualifying, threw his race away on lap seven, spinning on the approach to turn one, and very nearly 'T-Boning' Alonso. Massa's tyres were ruined and made an immediate pit stop. However the stop pit stop was a disaster, with a problem relating to the right rear gun meaning that the tyre couldn't be changed for over half a minute. Massa resumed, but was left languishing in 20th place. Of the leading runners, Schumacher was the first to blink, pitting on lap 14, leaving Alonso to go and reduce Schumacher's small lead. Alonso was able to go five laps further in the stint than the 7 time champion, but still emerged behind the Ferrari after the first round of stops. Meanwhile Kimi Raikkonen, who started last after being struck with his first bout of bad luck during qualifying was already within the top ten. Speaking of bad luck, Alonso's team mate, Giancarlo Fisichella, who had a frustrating 2005 was encountering engine difficulties. It was reported after qualifying that there was a lack of power coming from the Renault V8. Overnight, all aspects of the engine that could be changed in the parc fermé were changed, including the electronics. However as early as lap four, it was clear that there were still problems, and as he made his first stop on lap 16 he made his feelings clear in a rather colourful way; "It's f**king s**t," blasted the Italian over the radio. However you must wonder if Alonso, or Schumacher would react to such a situation in that way, and with Fisichella battling for his seat at Renault for next year, such slagging off will not gain him any fans within his team. The Italian eventually retired on lap 21, and dragged his car back to the pits, and stepped out looking rather frustrating. Alonso and Schumacher were now separated by only one second, Alonso going well on the new tyres and putting Schumacher under pressure. Schumacher was the first to stop again, while Alonso was left to try and open a gap up, despite numerous encounters with traffic, and an apparent lack of blue flags, leaving the young Spanish champion flustered, and waving at marshalls posts for some assistance. Alonso made his stop 2 laps later, the Renault boys pulling off a quick stop, and Alonso was out on his way. Schumacher was on the pit straight and closing rapidly, and as Alonso exited the pits, the two champions were side by side. Alonso had the inside line, but Schumacher was travelling faster. The German took the outside line but was forced out by Alonso who took the lead. Alonso was therefore in the lead, with Schumacher around a second behind him with 18 laps remaining. Were we going to see a repeat of Imola 2005? Was Schumacher going to risk it all and put a wheel up the inside? Well he tried, and closed up under traffic and as Alonso was baulked by Heidfeld's BMW Sauber entering the pit straight, he sensed his opportunity and closed up under the slipstream, chancing a move up the inside of turn one, but Alonso had it covered and kept the lead. Nick Heidfeld had a busy race, and was involved with David Coulthard's Red Bull for much of the afternoon, having a wheel to wheel battle in the early stages, forcing Coulthard off the road briefly before forcing his way past. Again with 23 laps remaining they were together again, and Coulthard locked up violently going into turn one when defending his line. Making his debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix, was GP2 champion Nico Rosberg. The 20 year old German had a stunning race, finishing seventh, and setting the fastest lap of the race, all this despite losing his front wing on the first lap and having to make a pit stop. He overtook several cars on his way up, and battled his way past Coulthard's Red Bull for eighth in the closing stages, and then proceeded to pass Christian Klien with a beautiful move with only two laps to go for seventh. Meanwhile, newcomers Super Aguri had an eventful race, with the crew leaving the grid after the 15 second buzzer, and therefore handing Yuji Ide a penalty. Then both cars came into the pits at the same time, and Ide stalled. He was pushed out the pit box while Sato made his stop, but had refuelling issues. "It's a bit chaotic and confusing down here to say the least," said ITV pit reporter Louise Goodman. Well I suppose we should have expected that from Super Aguri judging from their rapid and and manic incarnation. Back up front, it seemed that Schuamcher had realised that his chances of getting past Alonso were slim, and decided to settle for second, allowing Alonso to pull out a 2 second lead. It was clear that Schumacher had a faster car in the final stint, but Alonso was controlling the race at his own pace, and took a deserved victory to the delight of the Renault mechanics. But it is obvious to all concerned, that the top four teams are all extremely close, with McLaren and in particular Kimi Raikkonen looking strong, and would have surely challenged for the lead had it not been for the unfortunate suspension failure in qualifying. Jenson Button underlined his credentials with a solid fourth, but was unlucky at the start, and lost out after his pit stops, coming out in traffic. Barrichello though, was nowhere, and finished fifteenth. Still, if this race is anything to go by, we might as well find that mold in our sofa's because we sure as hell aren't going to want to leave them during the duration of this season. It's going to be a thriller. |
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| Further updates to the Weird and Wonderful section, and an F1 dictionary! |
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