2014 Bahrain Grand Prix

[Jef Patat]

still, it remains a waste of energy, which would be more useful elsewhere ... the more because it is green energy !

exactly! Doesn't match with the 'green' idea at all.

[NathanOlder]

So IF we get a dry clear qualy session, how big do we think the gap between the fastest Merc, and the fastest "best of the rest" ? Over 1 second , maybe 1.5 ?

[gray41]

In Q I think the Mercedes-Benz cars will be 1 second ahead of the rest, maybe only 2 tenths between the drivers though.

[MBilcke]

still, it remains a waste of energy, which would be more useful elsewhere ... the more because it is green energy !

Not really because the circuit would not be paying for the solar power generation / storage if it was nothing to do with the race, therefore it would not be financed to be used elsewhere.

Not to start a polemic, but what is the added value to the race, of it being at night?
(On the contrary, to my personal calendar it's just inconvenient.)
I think a race should take place in tar-melting desert-heat.
But if there is no place for a drinking bottle for the driver ... than it has to be at night.
Are we becoming marginal, muscle-less vampires?
It is not because you pay (a lot) for (a lot of) energy, that this money/energy could not be better used somewhere else.
It is another thing to pay for racing a.k.a. entertainment, than it is to pay for unnecessary secondary matters.
Like it is now, F1 is more a travelling parade, a contest which race gives the biggest show.
Are we watching a monstertruck event, or a RB air race (with all due respect) ?
F1 has the responsibilityto go forward, as has everyone. So the current motor-formula is the way to go.
Formula E is to big a step at once, and not totally in the right direction, but at least they have more honest racing.
More attention should be put in real racing, as fast as possible, not by tightening the rules, but by letting some of them go.
Not going to happen ... boo to you, FIA.

[Juzh]

So IF we get a dry clear qualy session, how big do we think the gap between the fastest Merc, and the fastest "best of the rest" ? Over 1 second , maybe 1.5 ?

If all goes according to plan I predict 1.2s for second placed merc and 1.4s for 1st place.

[ChrisM40]

still, it remains a waste of energy, which would be more useful elsewhere ... the more because it is green energy !

exactly! Doesn't match with the 'green' idea at all.

I very seriously doubt the fuel saving from these hybrid units equate into anything like the resources needed to construct the batteries for even one team, let alone all 11. Its long been known that hybrid road cars are a complete and utter lie when it comes to 'green' credentials. That can only be even more true for cars like these that do so few miles in their life time.

[thomin]

In Q I think the Mercedes-Benz cars will be 1 second ahead of the rest, maybe only 2 tenths between the drivers though.

I don't think so. 1 second sounds like a lot. Mercedes might have 1s over the rest during the race, especially since Bahrain seems to be an engine-track, but qualifying is still a different matter.

[gray41]

Lewis' car with newest front wing.

[markn93]

Very tight cooling package on Merc too, be surprised if that remains.

[gray41]

Should be fine when it cools later on, Nico also running the newest front wing.

[markn93]

Caterham 3 secs slower than GP2 atm.

[F1NAC]

lol clumsy mechanic in Ferrari garage, they released him with 3 med tyres and one soft xD

[gray41]

Is that worthy of a penalty?

[astracrazy]

i doubt it

[heidenreich27]

I swear something must bebdone to revs, i see cars with 9000rpm, last year 18.000.

The Cars sound horrible now with 9000rpm