Bahrain Grand Prix Formula One preview

Formula One teams & drivers in Sakhir.

 

 

F1 2010 Bahrain preview

2010 BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX PREVIEW

It’s been a busy winter… but at last the 2010 FIA Formula 1 World Championship is almost under way.

Testing has been busy but, as ever, a little inconclusive – simply because although all the teams have been working as hard as possible to get their cars to go as fast as is humanly possible in the time available, none of us really knows exactly how successful our rivals have been in that same endeavour.

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is no different. We’re reasonably satisfied with what we’ve achieved so far, but we know better than to be complacent and we never under-estimate our rivals.

Bahrain will be hot, as ever. But it’s a fantastic facility and a great circuit, and there’s every reason to expect it to host a great season-opening grand prix.

As ever, we’ll be doing our very best to put on a decent show in front of our Bahraini partners and friends.

Jenson Button “I’m really looking forward to getting into my car on Friday morning in Bahrain and knowing that I’m the world champion. It’s a responsibility and an honour – but it’s something I’m going to enjoy for as long as I can. I don’t want to lose that number from my car! My winter has been an incredible learning experience – joining Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has provided me with exactly the sort of challenge I needed. I have put every effort into working with the team, my engineers and learning about my car to ensure that we start the season in Bahrain in the best possible shape.

“Even after four weeks of testing, it’s incredibly difficult to predict the order ahead of the new season. There are a number of teams and drivers who appear to be in the hunt, and, as with the start of every new season, it will be fascinating to see who emerges as the team to beat. I’ve never known a team work as hard as we have done over the winter – I’ve spent more time with my engineers this winter than I have before any other season, and I feel very comfortable about my preparations.”

Lewis Hamilton “I can’t believe the winter’s over already – it seems like only yesterday when I was racing in Abu Dhabi. It’s been a winter of two halves for me: before Christmas, I really focused on my fitness and training, working away to be as ready as possible for the new season. Since January, I’ve been fully focused on working with the team, testing the car and improving our package ahead of the opening race of the year.

“There’s been a huge workload, but it’s been fantastic to work with Jenson and the engineers to improve MP4-25, and we’re all extremely pleased with the progress we’ve made and the direction we’ve taken. I think we have a very promising car beneath us: it’s a real change of direction for us, and I think the possibilities with this car are very exciting. Now, though, it’s all about the racing – once I put my crash helmet on and pull the visor down, I know more than anything that I’m ready to go racing.”

Martin Whitmarsh Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

“I can’t remember the start of a Formula 1 season where there’s been so much interest, excitement and anticipation. The closeness of the winter tests, our double-champion line-up, the return of a Formula 1 legend and the presence of four world champions on the grid mean that 2010 is already shaping up to be a classic season.

“From our side, we’ve been engaged in one of the most painstakingly diligent pre-season programmes that we’ve ever undertaken. We’ve amassed an enormous amount of data and we’ve learnt a considerable amount about MP4-25 in just four brief tests. We’ve been encouraged by our progress, we’ve been delighted with the input of both Jenson and Lewis and, finally, we feel ready.

“Make no mistake: we’re a team of racers. We’ve been waiting impatiently for the first race to arrive for many months. We feel we’ve risen to the challenge and we can’t wait to get started – Bahrain is a demanding track for both the team and the drivers and we’re looking forward enormously to racing in the home of one of our primary shareholders. It promises to be a fantastic grand prix.”

source: mclaren.com

2010 BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX, SAKHIR, 12 – 14 MARCH PREVIEW

The much-anticipated 2010 Formula One Season gets underway in Bahrain next week and marks the return of a Mercedes-Benz works team to the sport for the first time in 55 years. The MERCEDES GP PETRONAS Formula One Team go into the season with the prestige of being the current Constructors’ World Champions, led by Team Principal Ross Brawn, and with one of the most exciting driver line-ups on the grid as seven-times World Champion Michael Schumacher returns to the sport to partner the talented Nico Rosberg.

Mercedes-Benz Stats

     Bahrain   Total
(since 1954) 
GP Starts     6
283 
Wins     - (Best Result: 2nd) 77 
Podiums    3    215 
Points Scoring Positions 8    378 
GP Points     41
2018 
Fastest Laps    2 (2005, 2008)  82 
Pole Positions    -    80 

Bahrain International Circuit Stats

Circuit Length: 6.299 km 
Race Distance: 308.405 km 
Number of Laps: 49 

Full Throttle: 65% 
Brake Wear:  Hard 
Tyre Compounds: Super Soft / Medium 
Downforce Level: Medium/High 8/10 
Tyre Usage:  Medium 
Average Speed: 205kph (127mph) 

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER
“Finally the season will start! I feel like a child looking forward to Christmas. The decision to make my comeback feels like a long time ago now and I can hardly wait for the season to get underway in Bahrain.

“It’s funny to think that I will be competing in Formula One again when just a few months ago, I would have declined the opportunity categorically. But sometimes things change and the right circumstances come together. I feel fresher than I have for many years. I am perfectly prepared physically and most importantly, my energy is back completely.

“When I retired from racing in 2006, my batteries were simply empty. Now they are totally recharged and I am ready for the challenge. It is the competition at the highest level that only Formula One offers which has provided the temptation for me. It is always difficult to predict the form in pre-season testing, this year more than ever, but the final test in Barcelona proved to us that we should be competitive. We know that we will have more new parts in Bahrain which should bring extra performance to the car. It’s important to be in the leading group from the start of the season and I am confident that we will be there.”

NICO ROSBERG
“The build-up to a new Formula One season is always an exciting time, particularly when you have a new team to settle into and a brand new car to get used to. It has been a really nice process integrating into MERCEDES GP PETRONAS. Everyone has been very welcoming and I feel very much at home here already. Our pre-season testing programme has gone pretty well in February.

“We did have some concerns that we were not able to find the right direction to extract the maximum potential from the car but by working hard, we were able to find our way and ended testing on a high. We also have a good upgrade coming for Bahrain which should develop the car further and so I am quite optimistic that we will do well. Bahrain is a track which I really enjoy so it should be a good start to the season all in all.”

ROSS BRAWN
“Everyone at MERCEDES GP PETRONAS is proud to be representing the rich motorsport pedigree of Mercedes-Benz as we start the season as the first Mercedes works team for over half a century. In addition, knowing that we go into the new season as the reigning World Champions gives the team confidence and a fierce pride to defend our position. However this is a new season and a new challenge.

“We had a strong pre-season testing programme with the MGP W01 but we are not quite reached the level of preparation that we would have liked prior to Bahrain. The car shows promise and we have a strong development programme planned for the season but there is a lot of hard work ahead to ensure that we will be in the fight for the title. I am very pleased with how our new drivers Michael and Nico have settled into the team and developed a close working relationship.

“They have really pushed the development of the car throughout testing and they will push each other to achieve better results on the race track. This season should be a fantastic one for the fans with so many talented drivers competing and what is likely to be a very close fight for the title between the top teams and that can only be good for our sport.”

NORBERT HAUG
“The Bahrain Grand Prix as the first race of the 2010 Formula One season marks the beginning of a new era for Mercedes-Benz. 55 years after the last race of the Silver Arrows works team, MERCEDES GP PETRONAS will start to continue this tradition. In preparation for our first season, we have covered over 6300 kilometres during 15 test days from 1 to 28 February.

“Judging our competitiveness for the first couple of races, my impression is that we are not quite where we want to be and I would not see our team in the role of favourites. Having said that, I am fully convinced that the whole team and our drivers Nico and Michael are fully prepared to get on top of our job and fulfill our targets which are winning races and fighting for world championships.”

source: mercedes-gp.com

Red Bull Racing Bahrain Grand Prix preview (click here for *.pdf)

Formula 1 2010 – Track Simulation Bahrain – Mark Webber (English)

Formula 1 2010 – Track Simulation Bahrain – Sebastian Vettel (German)

source: redbullracing.com

Shell V-Power technology – Powering Scuderia Ferrari through refuelling changes

Fuel is a tightly controlled and highly regulated component of life in the Formula One paddock. Although regularly considered in its role in pit stop strategy, this year Shell faces perhaps the biggest challenge in its Formula One fuel formulation in 15 years. The Fédération Internationale de l’ Automobile’s (FIA) change in fuel regulations for the 2010 season has been two-fold.

Refuelling during the race will no longer be allowed, so Shell V-Power race fuel will power Ferrari around the entire length of all 19 Grand Prix races with no refuelling during pit-stops. In addition, the FIA has widened the specifications for fuel formulation development, giving Shell two exciting opportunities for the season ahead.

With the rule changes come challenges to balance the need for constant high performance from Shell V-Power race fuel with tackling increased fuel temperatures and the vital need for each driver to conserve enough fuel to simply finish the race. Shell has worked alongside Scuderia Ferrari to develop the best possible Shell V-Power formulation in preparation for the new regulations and will continue development throughout the season to maintain optimum performance.

Mike Evans, Shell Formula One Fuels Development Project Leader explains, “For 2010, we’ve got the new fuel regulations; the formulation space for the fuel has been enlarged and we’ve got the change in refuelling rules. We really need to get the performance out of the car to make sure Scuderia Ferrari make the end of the race, and to make sure there’s no problem with the fuel temperature since we can no longer have the benefit of adding slightly cooler fuel during a pit-stop. We’ve got some exciting challenges ahead for the sport, and we’ve been working hard for that.”

Evans continues, “Engines, performance-wise, are tuned to run a rich, heavy type of fuel but you can then run them on a slightly leaner formulation, which will give you a small drop in performance but it will also give you better fuel efficiency. It’s getting that balance right. We can alter the mix of components in the fuel to enable the engines to run leaner but still give optimum performance, and that’s an area we’ve been working hard on for the last nine months leading up to the 2010 season, given the latest FIA rule changes.”

The Shell technical partnership with Scuderia Ferrari began over 60 years ago, and the two brands work shoulder-to-shoulder all year round to develop innovative fuel developments. Generating more power from the fuel is a key focus for the 50-strong Shell team working on the technical partnership with Scuderia Ferrari in 2010. The latest racing fuel developed by Shell contains Friction Modification Technology, a feature that is present in Shell V-Power fuel for the road.

Targeting mainly the piston rings, the technology is designed to help the engine turn more freely, unlocking valuable energy and maximising the horsepower produced by the engine. Formulated with powerful cleansing agents, Shell V-Power also helps to prevent power-robbing deposits forming on inlet valves and injection systems, improving responsiveness.

Shell V-Power race fuel has been formulated to give Scuderia Ferrari engine protection and reliability, ever more essential in 2010, where each driver has only eight engines to last the entire 19-race season. In this area, Shell Helix Ultra motor oil works together with Shell V-Power race fuel to help provide comprehensive protection and performance. Evans says, “Shell is very proud of the fact that we contribute to Scuderia Ferrari’s fantastic engine reliability record. By combining Shell V-Power race fuel with a suite of Shell products, we create a complete package of engine care.”

Formula One fuel is one of the most tightly-controlled fuels within the world of motorsport with the chemical and physical parameters dictated by the FIA. These regulations imposed by the FIA are designed to foster the development of road car fuels – specific power-boosting components are banned and the fuel formulation is highly monitored.

“Due to the fuel regulations changes this year our role this year is to make sure that we keep within the parameters set by the FIA, whilst continually working alongside Scuderia Ferrari to deliver the best Formula One fuel for the team. We then transfer the learnings we take from the racetrack to the road,” explains Shell Technology Manager for Ferrari, Dr Lisa Lilley.

An integral part of the team, Shell analyses fuel and oil samples from the Ferrari Formula One race car in a dedicated mobile trackside laboratory at each Grand Prix, while providing support in Maranello and at Shell facilities globally. Ultimately, Shell’s commitment to innovation through motorsport is an integral part of an extensive research and development programme that is key to making better fuels for Shell customers around the world.

source: shell.com

PREVIEW: BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX

Where: Bahrain International Circuit, Bahrain Round: 1 of 19

Sam Michael, Technical Director

The FW32 completed almost 7,000kms during winter testing with the new Cosworth engine installation. We have made great progress on reliability and we’re still working on improving that, albeit at high mileages that we shouldn’t encounter during race weekends.

Performance has been solid throughout the test sessions, but Bahrain will tell us where we are. We tested the majority of our Bahrain race package while in Barcelona, while a couple of additional parts will go straight to the race. Rubens and Nico will also go through their first race weekend as teammates. Signs from winter testing are that they’ll push each other all the way!

Rubens Barrichello

I’m delighted to be entering my eighteenth season. I’m so motivated and I’m in a much better physical condition than I have been at any other time. I’m also really happy to be driving for AT&T Williams. I’ve settled in well, and I already feel like I’ve been here five years!

We covered a lot of miles with the car during winter testing, working on reliability during the first few tests and then some upgrades for Bahrain at the final two. In terms of set-up, reliability and drivability of the engine, we’ve done a good job. The car has improved a lot and the team have done well preparing me so I’m completely familiar with everything heading into the first race.

I think we’re strong, I’m optimistic, but it is very hard to draw a conclusion as to where we are so I’m going to wait and see. It’s going to be a fantastic season with the new teams, the new drivers and the new regulations.

Nico HĂźlkenberg

Being a Formula One driver is a great feeling and I’m very excited about going to Bahrain. I learnt a lot as the team’s test driver, which has prepared me well for the season ahead. Working in the factory has also helped give me more of a technical understanding of the car, it won’t make me quicker, but it will help me with set-up.

Winter testing was good for us. Having completed a good amount of mileage, we are well placed going into the season. The Cosworth engine is also looking strong; it’s powerful and reliable. We have potential, but we have to wait to see where the competition is. It’s going to be an exciting season and I can’t wait to start it!

source: attwilliams.com

Bahrain Grand Prix Preview

The Renault F1 Team looks ahead to the Bahrain Grand Prix, the opening round of the 2010 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

Eric Boullier: “Our biggest strength is our people”
The Team Principal gives his verdict on winter testing and looks ahead to Bahrain.

Eric, how would you rate the quality of the team’s preparations over the winter?
If we discount the bad weather, then overall our preparations have gone very well. We had a couple of minor glitches, which is quite normal for winter testing, but generally the car has run well and shown good reliability. Overall, considering that six days out of 15 were affected by rain, I think we have managed to maximise our mileage with the car. You can still learn a lot in the wet, especially for reliability, but the problem is that you don’t push the car to the limits like you do in the dry.

What has been your assessment of the team’s strengths since you were appointed?
Our biggest strength is our people. We have a very highly motivated team that is responsive and proactive in the way it goes racing. This was clearly demonstrated after the first test session when the factory made a big push to make changes to the car in time for the Jerez test.

How steep has your learning curve been as a new Team Principal?
It’s fair to say that it has been a very steep learning curve because there is so much more to absorb and understand, even compared to GP2. It’s much more intense, but I’m pleased with how things are going.

What feedback have the drivers given on the car, in terms of outright performance, driveability and potential?
There are a couple of things we need to change to make the drivers more comfortable in the car, but they like the general balance and how it responds to set-up changes. At the Jerez test, we found an excellent balance and both drivers said the car was easy to drive and gave them confidence. That was always the priority and it’s a good basis for developing the car throughout the year.

What is the team’s assessment of its competitiveness after winter testing?
It has been very tough to understand and unpick the details of winter testing and how we compare with the other teams because we don’t know what approach they have taken. We took a decision to run with heavy fuel at every test because we believed this was the best way to understand and improve the car. In terms of outright performance, I hope we are close to the top four teams.

Robert Kubica is rated as one of the most talented drivers in F1. What does he bring to the team?
It’s great to have Robert with us and it’s good to see his commitment and work ethic at every level. During the tests he was always at the track, working late, looking over data and available to the team, which is just what we need.

Are you pleased with how Vitaly Petrov is adapting to F1?
Yes, so far so good. Vitaly has shown a level of confidence as well as calmness under pressure, which has impressed the Team. There has been so much attention on him from Russia, but he’s taken everything in his stride and nothing seems to faze him. The only problem is his lack of dry running during testing, which isn’t ideal for a rookie. However, we are doing everything we can to make sure he feels comfortable in the team as he continues learning about Formula 1. I certainly have no doubts about his ability because his results in the past have shown how quick he is.

The team announced a partnership with Lada last week. Can you tell us more?
Our agreement with Lada is symbolic of the desire in Russia to support its first ever F1 driver at the highest level of world motorsport. That is a very encouraging sign not only for us, but for the sport as a whole. It is also an important deal for the team, because Lada is the first major new brand to enter Formula 1 in a significant manner this year – and we are proud to be the team that has made that happen. It’s a successful first step for our commercial strategy.

At the launch of the R30 you spoke about an aggressive development programme. Is everything going to plan so far?
Yes, we have been working to very tight deadlines and there has been a huge effort from the guys in the factory. So far, we are on track with our plans.

What updates are available for Bahrain?
I won’t go into details, but there is a big upgrade package for Bahrain, the main part of which is aerodynamic.

What are your expectations for this weekend’s race?
It’s not easy for me to say. I certainly have a dream result in mind, but I need to balance my expectations with reality. If we can have both cars qualify in the top ten and finish the race, that would be a great way to start the season.

Robert Kubica: “Performance is always the best medicine”
Robert sums up winter testing and reveals his hopes for the year ahead.

After four weeks of testing, do you feel ready to go racing?
I feel as ready as I can be considering that winter testing has been so limited. I’ve spent a lot of time with the team and we already have a strong working relationship, which means we can make the most of the time at the track. There has been a lot for me to learn and there are still questions to answer, but we got some good information from the tests and I tried to extract the maximum from every lap.

How do you think the R30 compares with the competition?
It’s difficult to judge performance, but we’re heading in the right direction. We also haven’t run with all our new updates yet and there is another aero upgrade for Bahrain, which we hope will match the wind tunnel predictions and improve performance. Overall, it seems that all the top teams are quite close, but some have definitely hidden their full potential during testing and will also have more updates for Bahrain. So far, I think Ferrari and Mercedes look very strong.

What aims do you have in mind for the year ahead?
It will be a long season and our goal must be to develop faster than our competitors. There was a big gap to make up at the end of 2009 so we will have to take two steps forward if we want to catch the top teams. Performance is what we need – it’s always the best medicine.

Bahrain has a new layout this year. Do you think it will encourage more overtaking?
I don’t think the layout will make overtaking easier. The biggest overtaking opportunities are still there in the old part of the track and the new part is quite twisty with a lot of corners, but no heavy braking zones. So the overtaking will happen in the usual places – into turns one and four.

Set-up wise what’s the secret to a good lap?
Bahrain is a circuit that requires good braking stability and traction. There are no real high-speed corners so the set-up work focuses more on the mechanical side.

Vitaly Petrov: “My first race will be a big learning experience”
As the first Russian driver in Formula 1, Vitaly has a big weekend ahead. He sums up his emotions ahead of his Grand Prix debut.

Vitaly, how excited are you ahead of your first race?
People are asking me if I feel nervous, but I’m used to racing and I know what I need to do. Of course things are different in F1 and I’m still learning about the car and how to work with the team. But I feel good and I can’t wait to go racing in Bahrain.

How tough has it been to get up to speed with Formula 1?
It hasn’t been easy, especially because we had so much wet running during testing. You always want more time to test and more time in the car, but that’s how it is. The problem is that I haven’t had a lot of time to work on setting up the car in the dry. What I have found is that you need to be really precise with any changes you make to the set-up because even a little change can make a huge difference to the car’s behaviour.

What do you think of the circuit in Bahrain? Is it a track you enjoy?
I know the track and raced on the old layout in GP2, but obviously the new section is a new challenge for all the drivers. I don’t think about whether I enjoy tracks: all that matters to me is that the car works well and we can find a good balance. Bahrain is all about braking performance and, with the heavy fuel loads, this will be very challenging because it will be easy to lock a wheel and flat-spot your tyres early in the race.

What is your target for your first race?
It hard to say because we still don’t know where we stand compared to the other teams and I haven’t driven the car with all the new updates. I need to be realistic in Bahrain because it’s my first race and it will be a big learning experience. So my first aim is to build my confidence through the weekend, to finish the race and try to be as close to my teammate as possible.

Track Talk with Robert Kubica
Robert talks us through the challenge of racing in Bahrain.

I enjoy racing in Bahrain, but it’s certainly not the most challenging track of the year for the drivers. The track is very tough on the brakes with lots of big stops so you need good braking stability and traction out of the low-speed corners. There are no real high-speed corners so our set-up work focuses more on the mechanical side.

The first few corners of the lap are not very demanding but, if your tyres are not in great shape, you will struggle with traction on the exit of turn one. You also need to be careful the back end doesn’t step out in turn two, which hurts your speed on the approach to turn four. These corners are always a bit frantic on the opening lap of the race and it’s easy to lose your front wing.

For 2010, a new section of track has been added after turn four. This new part of the lap is quite twisty and includes a lot of corners, but there are no significant braking zones so I don’t think it will make overtaking any easier. I expect the overtaking will happen in the usual places – into turns one and four.

The most challenging part of the lap is the old turn eight [now turn 18], which is very difficult for braking because of the lateral forces acting on the car and it’s easy to lock the inside front wheel. It’s difficult to get the car positioned correctly because the braking zone is long and there are many different lines that you can use. The most important thing is to carry as much speed as you can, but not out-brake yourself because you need to get on the power early for the straight that follows. It’s a difficult corner, but it’s a challenge so it’s my favourite.

The final corner of the lap is quite tricky. It’s a short corner, but it can catch you out as it changes depending on the strength and direction of the wind. You approach in seventh gear at nearly top speed, brake hard and downshift to third gear and then back on the power. You need to look out for snap oversteer on the exit, which can cost you a lot of lap time.

Feature: What’s new with pit stops for 2010?

Sporting Regulation, Article 29 comes into force in Bahrain and states that ‘Cars may not be refuelled after they have left the pitlane before the race.’ It means that, for the first time since the 1993 Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide, cars will start the race with enough fuel to go the distance.

While there are all sorts of technical ramifications, it’s perhaps the sporting impact on pit stops that will be most visible, as Renault F1 Team Sporting Director Steve Nielsen explains:

“Although we always aimed to complete pit stops as quickly as possible, the main emphasis was on attaching and detaching the fuel hose. By taking fuel out of the equation, it’s purely down to the tyres and this has become another area where you can win or lose time. The wheels need to be changed as quickly as humanly possible.”

To get ready for the frantic pace of pit stops in 2010, the Renault pit crew have been hard at work over the last few weeks rehearsing the procedure. With over five hours of pit stop drill under their belts, Steve reckons they will be at the top of their game come Bahrain. “It’s all about making the job second nature. Practice really does make perfect in this case.”

So what’s the target time for a respectable stop? Well, three is the magic number, or three and a half seconds to be precise. That’s the goal Steve has set: “Three and a half seconds will be a decent stop, which has halved the time available for the crew to service the car compared to last year.”

During practice, the team has already completed stops below the three-second mark, but no matter how many times you rehearse, it’s impossible to recreate the pressure of a Grand Prix pit stop. It’s like taking a penalty in football or a match point in tennis: the crew has to perform when it matters.

“It’s a different kind of pressure to what we had before,” says Chief Mechanic, Gavin Hudson. “Everything happens a lot faster and, instead of looking at the fuel nozzle, I need to see four hands in the air – one for each wheel. The job is the same for all of us; it’s just a case of adjusting to the new timescale.”

To help speed up pit stops further, the team has made some practical changes by producing a bespoke front jack with a quick-release mechanism. The wheel nuts have also been reworked in the search for speed. Wheel fairings have been banned for 2010, another consequence of the regulations, which happens to make life easier for the front wheel men. “All those changes come together to save us quite a bit of time,” confirms Steve.

So with refuelling gone, will we see a return of the days when pit crews wore shorts and t-shirts in the pit lane? It’s unlikely. “The pit lane is still a dangerous place,” says Steve. “We will keep the mechanics fully kitted out in fireproof gear. The only difference this year is that OMP have supplied us with two layer suits instead of the standard three layer suits – so the guys won’t get so hot in Bahrain! Also, wearing helmets will protect the guys in case they get knocked over or if there’s an incident in the pits.”

source: renaultf1.com

Bahrain Grand Prix Preview

2010 marks the third year of competition in the FIA Formula One World Championship for the Force India F1 Team. After a positive finish to 2009, the team is hoping this season will be the one that firmly establishes it as a strong, competitive outfit regularly challenging for points and podiums whenever possible.

Consistency has been the key this year: Adrian Sutil and Tonio Liuzzi are retained as drivers and the team’s technical package is an evolution of last year’s increasingly competitive car. Paul di Resta, from Scotland, strengthens the driver line-up as test and reserve driver. Paul will participate in some free practice sessions this year, although not Bahrain as the race drivers will need to learn the new track configuration.

Over winter testing the team fared well, completing 12 days of testing and more than 4,000km and is now looking forward to the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

Team Q&A

Dr Vijay Mallya, chairman and team principal

What are your thoughts ahead of what could be a crucial season for Force India?

We finished 2009 on a real high note – our first-ever points, a podium and one place up in the constructors’ championship. That is enough in itself to set the bar much higher this season, but we’re really determined to take it to the next level. Regular points and the odd podium have got to be the aim and we know it is possible. I have a lot of faith in the drivers and the technical staff, I think we’ve got into a very good rhythm together now.

Have you been encouraged by the performance over the winter?

I have been very encouraged by the entire performance, both at the track and at the factory. The testing times gave very positive headlines, but it is very difficult to know where we are until we get to Bahrain. Certainly however the initial reports from the drivers are encouraging and when that happens it’s worth another three to four tenths – if they feel happy and confident in the car then that they can really attack.

What is it that has made the difference this year for Force India?

The key point was that last year we had a good baseline car and we improved throughout the year in a very structured manner. In the second part of the season we were very successful – at times we even had a potential winning car – and with that in mind we went into the winter and developed this foundation as much as possible. That stability is crucial and we have been able to focus 100% on emphasising the strong points while addressing the weaker areas. I think Mark [Smith] and his team have done an excellent job.

Driver Q&A

Adrian Sutil (car 14, VJM03/03)

Adrian, you’ve now finished the VJM03′s winter testing programme – how did this go?

The baseline car we have now after 12 days of testing looks very good and promising. The changes we have made during the winter have all had a positive effect. Testing went well and although there was a lot of rain over the period, the last two days in Barcelona were OK. We did our long runs and a lot of work with the tyres so we are fully prepared. We are pretty confident that our car is good enough to be in the top ten in Bahrain.

From the testing, it is possible to see how the competition is faring?

You can see a little bit, but you can’t be 100% sure as you never know what the other teams are doing with their programme. That said, you can tell that some of the big teams like McLaren and Ferrari look very strong on both the long runs and qualifying runs and are always on the top of the timesheets. I am expecting them to be on the top again in the race weekend but we are not far away and that’s a really good sign.

One new addition to the team is a new team-mate for you in the form of Paul di Resta. You’ve raced against him before?

Yes, it was a long time ago, but in F3 in 2005 we raced against each other. I think he is a very good driver and it’s great to have him on board in the team as he can help develop the car with us. He will do some Friday sessions too so will get some experience, it’s a good opportunity for everyone.

Looking forward to Bahrain, what would be a good result for you?

Hopefully in the top ten and I think that should be possible. I would hope we could score a few points. For everything else, it is very difficult to say what else will happen, but I am fine with any position within the top 10 – that’s my goal for the moment.

Tonio Liuzzi (car 15, VJM03/01)

You covered a lot of kilometres in pre-season testing. How did that go for you?

I had five and a half days in the car and I learnt a lot of things about the car over this time. We had several test items to get to the optimum level for the start of the season and generally every item we tested had a positive effect. The car responds very well to any change, it’s definitely going in the right direction. For sure the weather didn’t help, but fortunately the car showed formidable reliability and performance, so in my mind there is a really strong preparation for Bahrain and the rest of the season.

How would you judge this car compared to the other cars you have driven in your career?

In my five years of F1 this is definitely the best car I’ve driven, It’s the most balanced, and knowing that has made me feel so much stronger and confident. Of course you can never know exactly where you are compared to the others but we can go to Bahrain feeling optimistic and positive.

And Bahrain has a new track lay-out. Have you had a chance to look at this?

I’ve had a look on Google earth and on the simulator. I think they have just made it much longer and slower and I’m not a big fan of this type of track as I love high speed corners and circuits. I don’t think there will be any more overtaking opportunities as the track goes through too tight an area. But it’s the same for everybody and we need to get used it. We’ll see when we walk the track on Thursday.

What are your aims for this race?

For the first race we want to show that our winter work has paid off. Points are our target for the time being and getting into the top ten, as high as possible. Being realistic, a few points should be feasible and hopefully everything goes as well as in testing with good reliability for the first race.

Paul di Resta, test and reserve driver

Paul, it must have been a bit of a whirlwind since February when you were announced as the test and reserve driver. What have you been doing since then?

It’s certainly been busy! I’ve been in Spain during all the F1 tests and it’s been quite a hectic schedule with three tests in three weeks. I’ve also spent some time at the factory, getting to know the team and the engineers and generally settling in. I had two half days in the car in quite difficult rainy conditions, which was not ideal, but I did at least learn about what to expect when it does rain and how to find that level when you need to change tyres: hopefully it’s something I will have to deal with later in my career.

 But it’s nice to get a feeling for the car going into the season, the strong points and how we deal with weaker spots. Any experience for me at the moment is valuable.

You’ve also been testing the DTM cars as well, sometimes switching literally overnight. How has that been going – has it given you a taster of how things will go this year when you are swapping F1 for DTM?

F1 and DTM are quite different to each other but so far I have done a switch from F1 to DTM and then one back again. The last time I didn’t even notice it had happened, so already I am learning how to deal with it. Both cars require a different mindset but I am sure I will be able to do it with more experience without really having to think about it.

What are your feelings heading into Bahrain?

For sure I am very excited. It’s a great thrill to be going there as part of an F1 team. Although I’m not going to be driving during free practice, Bahrain is a great track, I’ve raced there before in F3, and I can’t wait to get on the plane and head off for the first weekend. I’m realistic there are lots of challenges ahead of us and only in Bahrain will we really know where car is on the field, but everyone is very excited to see this. I can’t wait.

The Force India F1 Team factfile, with driver and team statistics in Bahrain, Force India trivia, circuit map and details is attached.

source: forceindiaf1.com

Formula 1 2010 – Track Simulation Bahrain – Sebastien Buemi (French)

Formula 1 2010 – Track Simulation Bahrain – Jaime Alguersuari (Spanish)

Take a tour of Faenza and Bicester without leaving the comfort of your desktop. Click the link below to get a full view of life behind the scenes at Scuderia Toro Rosso.

View The Big Picture

source: tororosso.com

LOTUS RACING SET FOR BAHRAIN AND THE START OF THE 2010 FORMULA ONE™ SEASON

By 3am on Saturday morning Lotus Racing had finally finished packing up the six airfreight boxes needed for the journey to Bahrain and the beginning of the 2010 Formula One™ season. Two cars and a 60-strong team have now made their way to the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Bahrain International Circuit for the first race of much anticipated 2010 season.

On 12th September 2009 Lotus Racing gained entry onto the grid. As the team gears up for the first Grand Prix, the whole team, including the drivers Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen, remain upbeat and honest about their expectations for the first few races. Trulli commented, “It would be nice to score a point, but it is not going to be easy. We have to be realistic.”

Chief Technical Officer, Mike Gascoyne said, “Our test season was extremely productive – in general we’ve had very good reliability, and the team is in very good shape going to the first race.”

Lotus Racing remain confident of their continuing progress. Team Principle Tony Fernandes commented, “We are all looking forward to Bahrain; to have Lotus Racing on the grid will be a momentous occasion for all involved and, indeed, for our fans, whose support has been absolutely fantastic since we launched just under six months ago. Yes we are a little slower than the major leading teams, however we will get there, with passion, hard work and a clear vision – our aim for this first Grand Prix will be to finish and steadily but surely improve, race by race.”

Lotus Racing will spend the week preparing in Bahrain and look forward to hitting the track in anger for the first practice session on Friday, exactly six months to the day after gaining their entry place into 2010 Formula One™ World Championship.

source: lotusf1racing.my

coming soon

source: HRT F1 Team

coming soon

source:

Preview – Bahrain Grand Prix

1st of 19 Championship Rounds, 12th – 14th March 2010

One thing is certain: after it has slimmed down and transformed into a private team the BMW Sauber F1 Team is very happy to line up with two C29s for Pedro de la Rosa and Kamui Kobayashi at the season’s opening race. But just turning up is far from what the team is aiming for.

The car’s development has been pushed forward non stop and the tests in February were on the whole positive. So to score points is what the team wants to achieve on March 14 in the Kingdom of Bahrain at the first of the 19 rounds that make up the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship.

Pedro de la Rosa: “I have good memories of Bahrain. In 2005 when I had to jump in I scored the fastest race lap. In 2007 I was there for two days of testing. However, I think the new section which is added to the infield will make it an all new track, because it means we have to adapt the downforce level. The best aspect of the circuit is that you can overtake.

“There are three long straights with each followed by a corner where you have to brake really hard. We will have good racing there, I think, and all I want is to fight because this is what I missed most. It is difficult to tell yet which track will be good for our car. In any case it will be very interesting to see how the strategies unfold, and how the teams will react to each other’s strategy in the race.

“Due to the fact that refuelling isn’t allowed anymore, the team can influence the outcome a lot more. After we have had four good tests on three different circuits I feel very confident for the season’s start. I covered a lot of mileage with the team and we learnt a lot. Bahrain will mark my return to racing and I can’t wait.”

Kamui Kobayashi: “I won two GP2 Asia races in Bahrain in 2008 and 2009 and I have been testing there in Formula One in 2009. I like the fact that the season starts on a circuit I know so well. The track is quite nice, I like every corner and now we get some more of them.

“The track has a lot of stop-and-go corners and I really enjoy that style, while I also think it will suit our car. During the tests I learnt a lot and I’m training hard. I definitely feel ready for the start of the season and I’m also looking forward to the usual good weather in Bahrain, as I really like it warm.”

Willy Rampf, Technical Director: “The kick off for the coming season promises extra excitement because very few of the teams showed their full potential during the tests. Due to the refuelling ban the fuel cells have become much larger and, therefore, we’ve got radically different cars. It is an engineer’s task to find a set-up which provides a good balance for the cars, although they will now be a hundred kilos heavier at the start of the race. Race strategy also provides totally new challenges. Pit stops will be mainly dictated by the tyre performance.

“Both tyre specs still have to be run. The circuit lay-out in Bahrain has changed significantly as it is now dominated by a narrow section in the infield with eight additional corners. The downforce level will be a compromise. On the one hand the many low speed corners require high downforce, but on the other the extraordinary width of the track encourages overtaking and this means you can’t disregard the need for top-speed.”

Circuit Bahrain International Circuit / 6.299 km
Race distance 49 laps / 308.405 km
Schedule Qualifying 14:00 hrs, Race 15:00 hrs local (13:00 hrs CET)

Driver Pedro de la Rosa Kamui Kobayashi
Day of birth 24.02.1971 Barcelona (ES) 13.09.1986 Amagasaki (JP)
Residence Zurich (CH) Cologne (DE)
Marital status Married to Maria Reyes single
Children daughters Georgina, Olivia, Luna -
Height / Weight 1.78 m / 73 kg 1.68 m / 64 kg
First GP Australia 1999, finished 6th Brazil 2009, finished 9th
GP started 71 2
Best race result 2nd (Hungary 2006) 6th (Abu Dhabi 2009)
Best qualifying 4th (Hungary 2006) 11th (Brazil 2009)
Fastest race laps 1 (Bahrain 2005) -
Points in total 29 3
Points in 2010 – -

source: bmw-sauber-f1-team.ch

BAHRAIN IN-SIGHT

Well, they say time flies and after an exhaustive nine month programme of car design and development, team-building and pre-season testing, Virgin Racing’s Grand Prix debut has finally arrived. The 45-strong race team are up and running in the Kingdom of Bahrain for the opening round of the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship on 12/13/14 March.

The first of nineteen Grands Prix on this year’s calendar, the Middle Eastern location provides drivers with the challenge of the 3.9 mile (6.299km) Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir. With 23 turns, four straights, an elevation change of 18 metres and very high track and ambient temperatures, there will be plenty of factors to put the team to the test in what will literally be the white heat of its inaugural race.

After three weeks of pre-season testing in Jerez and Barcelona, race drivers Timo Glock and Lucas di Grassi spent much of last week at Virgin Racing’s technical base in Bicester, UK, driving the Sakhir track on the simulator. They have now reached terra firma in Bahrain with the aim of leaving no stone unturned in their quest to ensure they are physically and mentally prepared for the challenges of the week ahead.

Timo Glock, Race Driver #24

“Pre-season testing has been pretty eventful for our team. We saw some very positive signs of the potential of the car and the team, but we also experienced some reliability issues and too much rain, the combination of which prevented us from maximising our track time. However, if I stand back and look at what we have built together in the space of only nine months, we should all feel pretty proud.

“Here we are, heading into our first race and I’m very excited. We’re as ready as we can be. We’re a small team but we have the resources and people to keep building something special together and that is what we must all keep in mind as we progress. We have some great team members at Virgin Racing who know what it takes to be quick and what we have to do to get to where we want to be. Our objective remains to be the best of the new teams and that particular race starts this weekend.”

Lucas di Grassi, Race Driver #25

“It’s very exciting to be here at last, ready to take part in our debut Grand Prix. It’s also my own personal F1 debut which definitely makes this weekend the high point of my career. I’d like to thank everybody in the team for the hard work and determination that we have all seen, especially over the past few weeks in pre-season testing. It hasn’t always gone our way but the team have fought hard and their spirits are high. Bahrain will be a tough challenge for sure. We will need to learn how to get the maximum out of the car in race weekend conditions.”

Nick Wirth, Technical Director

“The past nine months have flown by so quickly, it’s hard to believe that our Grand Prix debut has arrived. Despite the challenges we encountered in pre-season testing, we have conducted a great deal of off-track preparation, to give ourselves the best possible chance of a strong showing in our inaugural race. The rest will be down to good fortune and we’ve probably stored some of that up by now!

“We think that we have identified and applied appropriate fixes to the various hydraulic problems that affected our winter testing so badly. We also didn’t get the chance to set times with low fuel or the super-soft tyre in testing and so going into Bahrain we have yet to show our true performance level.

“Free practice on Friday will provide our first real barometer of relative competitiveness, but we’ll only know our true Bahrain pace on Saturday afternoon. To give us our best possible chance, we will be introducing the first of our season’s aerodynamic and mechanical development parts, which will significantly improve our pace versus our testing configuration, with more planned developments being added for Melbourne.

“As one of the most challenging circuits for car and brake cooling – with several hard braking corners on the lap – Bahrain is going to provide an altogether different challenge after three wet weeks of pre-season testing. Therefore the spotlight will inevitably fall upon the car’s cooling systems – and those of our drivers, who face cockpit conditions of around 45°C.

“Our simple objective for Bahrain is to do everything possible to ensure we have a strong debut race from lights to flag. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved with Virgin Racing and Wirth Research for their support and the massive effort that has brought us so far in such a short space of time.”

source: virginracing.com