F1 - 2004 Round 3 (Bahrain)

[Misho]

I was just looking at diagrams of all the 18 F1 racing tracks to be used this year. What struck me the most was the desing of the third round's track in Manama, Bahrain. There are limitless possibilities to over take !! There are 3 straight long stretches of road together with a smaller, yet still considerably long, segment. Engines will be the most significant winning factor in this race. So will it be another win for Ferrari ?? We know that it will be hot and it will not rain !! I also read that the expected average speed on this track is around 210 km/hr !!

[Deckard]

Yes, it does look like that there are plenty of places to overtake, but I guess we'll only really know once the cars hit the track and see where they're slow.

My concern with the track is that first corner/hairpin. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if there was a pile up there on the first lap.

I think that McLaren will struggle there since if they have to rev limit they're engine because it's not getting enough air than the hot climate is not going to do it any good. Ferrari do seem to have a solid engine but they are on Bridgestones, and while they performed well enough at Malaysia. It wasn't as hot as expected and I suspect that the Michelins are still the superior tyre in really hot conditions.

Time will tell.
I can't wait.

[the real deal]

The track looks like it will be a good race, there are a mixture of turns with 4 main straights. shud be good to watch. dont think schumy will have it all his own way i think we cud be up for a few suprises!

[Matra et Alpine]

I'm not so sure of the opportunities for overtaking.
Wide tracks and long straights present good overtaking areas when the tarmac is 'virign'. As the racing line picks up rubber and the off-line gets covered in marbles then it actually becomes harder to overtake - even though there is more space !
If you go off the racing line, you are disadvantaged
The unknown in Bahrain is how much sand will find it's way onto the track duriin the race. If there is significant amounts then it will make the off-line areas of the track even slippier and traction ( durign acceleration and braking ) worse.
I think we'll see a few exit-rear as folks try to overtake coming into those corners.
Dont' know what the traps are like, if they're shallow/dense then maybe it'll be OK as they can return. If they're soft ( likely ) then we'll lose lots of cars nad it will be boring.
I wonder what the engine manufacturers will do about filtering the air ?
Another thought I had was if the radiators are strong enough to withstand sand-blasting or if they'll need filters too.
Shame that these are what may make the race interesting and not the drivers and cars
Saw Jackie Stewart back in the Ford/Jaguar pit last weekend - maybe they'll improve again

[Misho]

from my knowledge of middle eastern geography, i dont think that sand will be much of an issue in Manama. it is the insanely high humidity percentages that will probably cause more of a threat to the drivers. let's just hope noone of the drivers gets a sun-stroke !!

for those of u who live in Canada and probably dont know what it is, a sun-stroke is the hot weather equivelant of frost-bite !!

[Matra et Alpine]

from my knowledge of middle eastern geography, i dont think that sand will be much of an issue in Manama.

Well from the Bahrain embassies own information ....
Terrain: Mostly low desert plain
Natural Hazards: Periodic droughts; dust storms
Any track near beach has this issue.
it was one of the great hazards at Zandvoort and there was a few orders of magnitude less sand around than Bahrain

[NAZCA C2]

there not going to be any overtaking. this is F1 we are talking about. the only passing occurs at the start, during pit stops, and when it rains. malaysia was supposed to be designed with passing in mind but i didnt see much passing last week, bahrain wont be any different.

[the real deal]

I dont think that anyone can predict what is goin to happen at the next race. unless they can see into the future! Only one F1 car has been round the track at full speed and not even the williams team in which Mark Gene drove the car nos wat the race is goin to be like!!

[byronleehk]

The Shanghai track will be interesting to watch for overtaking/passing because of the numerious turns

[Misho]

Well from the Bahrain embassies own information ....
Terrain: Mostly low desert plain
Natural Hazards: Periodic droughts; dust storms
Any track near beach has this issue.
it was one of the great hazards at Zandvoort and there was a few orders of magnitude less sand around than Bahrain

i am a strong beleiver that actual experience is much more important than theoritical studies !!

[Misho]

did u know that at 665 sq km, the country of Bahrain is about 3.5 times the size of Washington D.C ??! With a population of 667,238 this means a population density of approximately 1000 persons/sq km which is among the highest in the world.

[Matra et Alpine]

i am a strong beleiver that actual experience is much more important than theoritical studies !!

Not sure the point Misho.

But do you have experience of weather/sand conditions in Manama as you mention it ?

The tracks about as central to the main island of Bahrain as it can get.
Totally differnt conditions from the NE island group.

I'm going from information provided by Bahrain ministry.
I reckoned their experience would be better than my guesswork !!

Time will tell

[Matra et Alpine]

quote taken from Reuters agency report .....

Bahrain, with high temperatures and the danger of sand blowing
around, will be a challenge to all 10 teams.
Head said the track had also been so dusty and dirty, with some
sand blowing around, that Gene's experience did not have a lot of
relevance, although grip levels were a lot better than expected.

So looks like based on Williams experience at the opening of the circuit that sand does blow around.
Amazing that happening in a desert plain, huh

How much of a kick-back did Bernie get for taking the F1 circus there ????

[Deckard]

quote taken from Reuters agency report .....

Bahrain, with high temperatures and the danger of sand blowing
around, will be a challenge to all 10 teams.
Head said the track had also been so dusty and dirty, with some
sand blowing around, that Gene's experience did not have a lot of
relevance, although grip levels were a lot better than expected.

So looks like based on Williams experience at the opening of the circuit that sand does blow around.
Amazing that happening in a desert plain, huh

How much of a kick-back did Bernie get for taking the F1 circus there ????

No matter which way you look at it there's going to be a lot sand blowing around!

[Matra et Alpine]

No matter which way you look at it there's going to be a lot sand blowing around!

Thanks Deckard, I'd seen some early photos which clearly showed the surrounding desert, but coulnd't find any last night
These show the problem