2016 Bahrain Grand Prix

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 30 Mar 2016, 09:35

I'm looking forward to Qualifying if only to find out just what the hell is going on!

golic_2004 · Post by **golic_2004** » 31 Mar 2016, 10:32

Alonso will not race in Bahrain
http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/alons ... gp-683160/

AxelP800 · Post by **AxelP800** » 31 Mar 2016, 10:48

golic_2004 wins the race to post news

Vandoorne will actually make F1 debut? Finally another GP2 champion on the grid (even is it's one-off).

shinji · Post by **shinji** » 31 Mar 2016, 11:16

You'd have to wonder about Alonso missing races following crashes in consecutive seasons. Does he have a particular recurring issue with concussion following the pre-season incident last year, or are he and McLaren just taking precautions which teams and drivers have avoided taking in the past?

Given the ongoing discussions about concussive brain injuries in American Football, rugby and other sports I'd be interested to have an insight into F1's policy on the matter, if it has one at all.

AustralianStig · Post by **AustralianStig** » 31 Mar 2016, 11:22

shinji wrote:You'd have to wonder about Alonso missing races following crashes in consecutive seasons. Does he have a particular recurring issue with concussion following the pre-season incident last year, or are he and McLaren just taking precautions which teams and drivers have avoided taking in the past?

Given the ongoing discussions about concussive brain injuries in American Football, rugby and other sports I'd be interested to have an insight into F1's policy on the matter, if it has one at all.

Ted Kravitz's tweet seems to suggest that it was the FIA, not McLaren, that mandated that Alonso wouldn't race:
https://twitter.com/tedkravitz/status/7 ... 28/photo/1
EDIT: McLaren's tweet also backs this up: https://twitter.com/McLarenF1/status/715487517009514496

AndreaModa · Post by **AndreaModa** » 31 Mar 2016, 11:27

I don't think the injuries this time relate to his head - the statement mentioned a chest CT scan so it might be some internal bleeding or something like that which hasn't fully cleared up yet.

Post by **Miguel98** » 31 Mar 2016, 11:45

And all I have to say is:

ALL ABOARD THE HYPE TRAIN

watka · Post by **watka** » 31 Mar 2016, 11:45

Gosh, Alonso has had some big crashes in recent years. Good to see Vandoorne get a debut, albeit it unfortunate circumstances. I was thinking that as time goes by he'd become a forgotten name who'd have to rely on a seat becoming available at McLaren who probably won't be at the front of the grid again for a while. Depending on his loyalty to McLaren, this could be his opportunity to put himself on the marketplace.

Jan Magnussen · Post by **Rob Dylan** » 31 Mar 2016, 12:04

And so begins the test run for Stoffel Vandoorne. Regardless of what happens next year, McLaren are going to get some tasty info as to how Vandoorne can cope in a race situation. If he can finish with any number of points, I think we may see him drop in sooner rather than later.

Post by **tommykl** » 31 Mar 2016, 12:05

I seem to understand that Alonso skipping this race is more a precautionary measure than anything.

And it means I can finally get rid of that pesky Talladega Nights reference I've had in my signature in some form or another for almost six years.

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 31 Mar 2016, 12:23

Rob Dylan wrote:And so begins the test run for Stoffel Vandoorne. Regardless of what happens next year, McLaren are going to get some tasty info as to how Vandoorne can cope in a race situation. If he can finish with any number of points, I think we may see him drop in sooner rather than later.

We'll also see if the McLaren is really the crap box the two older drivers make out it is. Be funny if he scored a decent result.

Hairline fracture of a rib for Alonso.

Wuss.

Wallio · Post by **Wallio** » 31 Mar 2016, 14:15

Miguel98 wrote:And all I have to say is:

ALL ABOARD THE HYPE TRAIN

CHOO-CHOO!!!

CoopsII wrote:
Hairline fracture of a rib for Alonso.

Wuss.

I know this is sarcasm, but it makes much more sense now that I know the injury, I cracked two ribs in a racing accident back in college, and it was without question one of the most painful injuries I've ever had. Worst part is there's no cure, only rest. He very well may miss the next round too.

AdrianBelmonte_ · Post by **AdrianBelmonte_** » 31 Mar 2016, 14:37

I CHOO-CHOO-CHOOSE YOU, STOFFEL...

golic_2004 · Post by **golic_2004** » 31 Mar 2016, 15:39

Wallio wrote:
Miguel98 wrote:And all I have to say is:

ALL ABOARD THE HYPE TRAIN

CHOO-CHOO!!!

CoopsII wrote:
Hairline fracture of a rib for Alonso.

Wuss.

I know this is sarcasm, but it makes much more sense now that I know the injury, I cracked two ribs in a racing accident back in college, and it was without question one of the most painful injuries I've ever had. Worst part is there's no cure, only rest. He very well may miss the next round too.

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/alons ... ib-683214/
Alonso says he isn't 100% certain he'll be able to race China either.

Backmarker · Post by **Backmarker** » 31 Mar 2016, 17:11

Is it confirmed that Vandoorne will replace him, or could McLaren pull a Kovalainen on us?

Post by **mario** » 31 Mar 2016, 18:40

Wallio wrote:I know this is sarcasm, but it makes much more sense now that I know the injury, I cracked two ribs in a racing accident back in college, and it was without question one of the most painful injuries I've ever had. Worst part is there's no cure, only rest. He very well may miss the next round too.

Asides from the fractured rib, he also stated that he suffered from a small pneumothorax, perhaps more commonly known as a collapsed lung (when the lung becomes separated from the chest wall), although that appears to have been resolved. Still, in light of that additional complication, I can see why the FIA's medics would have been reluctant to allow him to race.

Yannick · Post by **Yannick** » 31 Mar 2016, 18:47

Here's hoping that Fernando Alonso has been receiving the best possible medical treatment for his injuries, from right after when they happened to him at the racetrack in Australia.

Here's to a full and speedy recovery!

Now where can I buy a Stoffel T-Shirt?

dinizintheoven · Post by **dinizintheoven** » 31 Mar 2016, 19:37

AdrianBelmonte_ wrote:I CHOO-CHOO-CHOOSE YOU, STOFFEL...

Backmarker wrote:Is it confirmed that Vandoorne will replace him, or could McLaren pull a Kovalainen on us?

Stoffel Vandoorne wrote:Yesh! I louwve McLaren, and when ij grouw up, ij am goijng to drijve fouwr them FOUWR EVER!

Ron Dennis wrote:Noooooooooooooooooooooooo! Now you listen to me. I don't like you. I never liked you. And the only reason I gave you that drive in Bahrain is because nobody else would!

Eric Boullier wrote:...watch zis, Ron. Tu can actualleey pinpoint ze second when 'is 'eart rips in 'alf.

Ron Dennis wrote:The paradigm of this situation is somewhat suboptimal. *hides face*

Eric Boullier wrote:Hon hon hon hon hon!

Stoffel Vandoorne wrote:*crijes*

Is there anyone who didn't see that coming?

Post by **tommykl** » 31 Mar 2016, 20:44

This may be the part where I point out, and This will back me up here, that the Flemish accent sounds nothing like the Dutch accent

Nessafox · Post by **Nessafox** » 31 Mar 2016, 21:27

tommykl wrote:This may be the part where I point out, and This will back me up here, that the Flemish accent sounds nothing like the Dutch accent

Though all regions have widely different accents, Flemglish is universal, and indeed very different from Dutch-English.
But don't worry, it won't sound as annoying as hearing Leinders talk english (or hear him talk dutch or french or whatever he does, i'm sure that you've heared his French sometimes at RTBF)

I also noticed that not only was Goethals the only other flemish driver. Both him and Vandoorne are from the environments of Kortrijk. There's defenitely something over there... which i assume is the fact that the province of West-Flanders is by bar the richest part of the whole country. (Former Minardi tester Saelens was also from that region, just like many regionally succesful rally drivers)

Post by **tommykl** » 31 Mar 2016, 23:16

Well, there used to be a festival of speed on the beaches (might have been at Ostende, but I'm not sure) of West Flanders, so I guess this might have had an influence on the car culture in that part of the country.

solarcold · Post by **solarcold** » 01 Apr 2016, 05:21

Now this gets really exciting!

Last minute qualifying change shocks the paddock

Following the recent U-turn in qualifying changes and explicitly negative reaction from both the fans and teams, the initiative group of the F1 qualifying committee made a last minute decision to hold a vote on a new qualifying proposal, which gained a surprising 100% approval by the teams.

This proposal meant that during the Bahrain Grand Prix the qualifying will be abandoned altogether as such; instead the grid positions would be determined by rock-paper-scissors between the drivers.

"We believe that the coverage of this kind of a qualifying will be very popular among the fans", said Christian Horner (Red Bull Racing), "Seeing drivers cheerfully play rock-paper-scissors to determine positions is far more enjoyable than seeing them talk to the press before the clock stops."

The details of this format are pretty simple: first, the drivers will be divided into two groups by the team directors: drivers of those teams whose directors lose will be put into second group. Then the Group 1 of drivers will face the Group 2; those who lose will then fight for positions from 12th to 22nd. Through consequent detailing games the start positions will be determined. Of course, if any penalties are to happen, those will be in action.

"I was really delighted to know the new qualifying rules were voted in favour", said Pascal Wehrlein, "I hope the fans will like what they see this Saturday. I've always been a lucky guy and now I hope the bring my team the best result possible."

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 01 Apr 2016, 05:51

Wow, Solarcold, thanks for telling us about this. I've just booked a flight and race tickets now. It was very expensive and I'm pretty sure I'll be divorced when I get home but I just couldn't miss what should be a legendary race weekend!

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 01 Apr 2016, 10:18

CoopsII wrote:Wow, Solarcold, thanks for telling us about this. I've just booked a flight and race tickets now. It was very expensive and I'm pretty sure I'll be divorced when I get home but I just couldn't miss what should be a legendary race weekend!

Don't worry, you can just use your time machine bringing money back from the future to cover your bacon while your 'this weekend' self can enjoy the grand prix.

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 01 Apr 2016, 10:26

McLaren announce new sponsor for Bahrain!

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 01 Apr 2016, 10:29

DanielPT wrote:you can just use your time machine bringing money back from the future to cover your bacon.

I've told you before I'm not playing that game with you again.

Izzyeviel · Post by **Izzyeviel** » 01 Apr 2016, 11:10

Bertrand Gachot sponsors the Force India team? is that right?

golic_2004 · Post by **golic_2004** » 01 Apr 2016, 11:56

CoopsII wrote:McLaren announce new sponsor for Bahrain!

It's early in the season, but can I nominate this as post of the year? I love it!

AndreaModa · Post by **AndreaModa** » 01 Apr 2016, 12:59

Ominous pace from Mercedes after FP1. Although with track temperatures not indicative of race conditions, I think teams will put more effort into FP2 so I expect that gap to close.

Celis was a bit ragged too wasn't he!

Post by **Miguel98** » 01 Apr 2016, 13:26

AndreaModa wrote:Ominous pace from Mercedes after FP1. Although with track temperatures not indicative of race conditions, I think teams will put more effort into FP2 so I expect that gap to close.

Celis was a bit ragged too wasn't he!

I like to call Mercedes' runs in today's FP1 "dick measuring runs", where they just go YOLO to show the teams they are the fastest. They do this all the time.

And yes, Celis Jr was a bit ragged... That's what happens when you place a fairly inexperienced driver, which also isn't the best driver, straight into a F1 car.

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 01 Apr 2016, 13:57

Let's look at the positives here. At least it seems pretty tight between those behind Mercedes so we could still have a good race for the last podium.

Post by **Miguel98** » 01 Apr 2016, 16:53

While Ferrari's premature ending to FP2 seems to be because of a loose nut on the left rear of the car, Haas should be more worried, as Grosjean's engine started smoking at the end of FP2, and the french driver lost power on his car. This after once again his FW exploded into bits

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 01 Apr 2016, 16:58

April fools' day! A McLaren finished 3rd in race weekend session!

Post by **mario** » 01 Apr 2016, 19:06

Miguel98 wrote:While Ferrari's premature ending to FP2 seems to be because of a loose nut on the left rear of the car, Haas should be more worried, as Grosjean's engine started smoking at the end of FP2, and the french driver lost power on his car. This after once again his FW exploded into bits

To a certain extent, those concerns potentially extend to the other Ferrari powered teams as well, because they seem to be having more issues - Gutierrez had been complaining about problems with the energy recovery systems on his car from almost the beginning of the Australian GP, whilst Kimi had to retire with an engine failure in that race too.

There had been a few rumours in the Italian press before the season began that whilst Ferrari had managed to significantly increase the power of their engines and the efficiency of the recovery systems, it came at the price of a loss in reliability (and reportedly none of their engines could cover 4 race distances on the dyno bench, a worrying sign given the length of the calendar this year).

Now, it is interesting to note that Mercedes are reported to privately believe that Ferrari are having to turn down their engines down in the practise sessions to try and improve the engine life. It could be that there is perhaps a little substance to the rumours - it may well be that all of the Ferrari powered teams may perform more strongly in qualifying, but whether they can sustain that performance all race long will be interesting to see.

sswishbone · Post by **sswishbone** » 01 Apr 2016, 19:52

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.ph ... ifying-fix

Sky get 25,000,000 viewers? Good luck with that Bernie, nice try, but april fool fail

Row Man Gross-Gene · Post by **Row Man Gross-Gene** » 01 Apr 2016, 20:23

sswishbone wrote:http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/123543/ecclestone-promises-quick-qualifying-fix

Sky get 25,000,000 viewers? Good luck with that Bernie, nice try, but april fool fail

Is he saying 25 million viewers in the UK? That sounds a bit optimistic shall we say.

BCE wrote:"Honestly, it was nothing to do with the money, it was to do with the fact this is the way we have to move forward."

Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha!!

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 01 Apr 2016, 20:55

Row Man Gross-Gene wrote:
sswishbone wrote:http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/123543/ecclestone-promises-quick-qualifying-fix

Sky get 25,000,000 viewers? Good luck with that Bernie, nice try, but april fool fail

Is he saying 25 million viewers in the UK? That sounds a bit optimistic shall we say.

Divide 25 million between 21 Grands Prix, and then divide that again between qualifying and the race, and then divide again between the Sky viewers and the BBC/C4 viewers, then the numbers look a lot less good, but more realistic. And that's without considering that a majority of those will be repeat viewers. Suddenly, those figures look crap, don't they Bernie?

Post by **mario** » 02 Apr 2016, 07:13

Magnussen fans might be disappointed to hear that he is being consigned to start this race from the pit lane.

In FP2, Magnussen was meant to stop at the weight bridge, but mistakenly thought that it was Kvyat who was being called to the weigh bridge and returned to his garage to have the set up of his car adjusted. That automatically triggers the clause which requires the driver to start from the pit lane for a technical infringement.

Aguaman · Post by **Aguaman** » 02 Apr 2016, 08:53

Herbert calls for Alonso to retire.

Why does he hate Alonso as much as Keith hated Maldonado?

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 02 Apr 2016, 09:11

Aguaman wrote:Herbert calls for Alonso to retire.

Why does he hate Alonso as much as Keith hated Maldonado?

My first thought was 'Go Home Johnny Herbert!' but having read his comments I sort of see where he's coming from even if I don't fully agree with him. Certainly looking at the stats it looks like Alonso's been on the slide for some time and if he was a few years older then maybe I would agree more with JH but they guys' still young enough to deliver with a half decent car, I think.