2021 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sakhir, March 26 - 28

[JPower]

Since this race is the first real possibility of an Alpha Tauri challenging for the lead against a Red Bull, does anyone think we will see blatant intra-team orders?

If so, does anyone think Pierre would listen?

No and no.

[koenigzig]

Perez did only lose out by 3 tenths to Max, in his first ever qualy session for RedBull. In the RB16B that he has used for 15 hours.

Nope, Stats will show he was 1.6s slower than Max in Quali. Thats how it has always been, no ifs and buts. If you want to compare like for like on the same track condition, he was outperformed by Gasly on a much slower car. RedBull no longer have the issues that plagued the car over two years, Honda is top of the field, Max had floor damage worth 1 tenth from Q1, so he has no excuses for having the fastest car. Only one race so too early but he needs to out-qualify Merc who are struggling at the start and in Redbull territory last year.

And only a blind fan will see it that way. when you look at what really happened, Perez was 3 tenths off Max with same tyres. Max was 7th, Perez 11th. The team will know this. RedBull took the gamble with both on mediums, and they missed out by a tiny amount. Perez didn't do so bad as he was pretty much as close to Max as Albon/Gasly were at their best. Perez will only get stronger.

100%. He'd be right up there had he made it to Q3. 3 tenths is a huge improvement on Albon and Gasly and that too with limited experience in the car. The optics of getting knocked out in Q2 dont put him in a good light but the rest of the season should prove this was a one off

[Spacepace]

Plus no party modes, and components need to last even longer this year.

I.E., F1 a little bet less F1, yet again.

If they keep going, it will be Indycar is no time at all!

I honestly think I'm going to stop watching in a few years. F1 has lost all it's mystique in the rush to pull in as many bottom barrel fans as possible.

I've told myself that too. If cars pull up to testing next year looking the same I'll probably quite watching. I just feel that the model Chase Carey envisioned was to make the field as even as possible and market the driver's as the product. Unfortunately that kills part of the spirit of F1.

[Zynerji]

I really doubt that AT can keep up with RBR in the race.

The first lap is a way different animal.

If Pierre is second to Max after the first couple of turns, I expect they will play Pierre's strategy as if it was Perez to ensure Max wins.

I also think Pierre will fight Max on track for the win, no matter the orders that come over the radio.

This race could be EPIC, I'm literally thrilled waiting for it to start!

[El Scorchio]

If Gasly for some reason could finish above Verstappen and chose to do it despite team wishes (I’m sure he’d get some subtle hints not to) I don’t think it would bode well for his future in the team. Especially with Albon still in the background.

Academic as he won’t.(As in he won’t be in a position to beat Verstappen, rather than he wouldn’t choose to try)

He could be told to be the de facto wingman though in Perez’ absence.

[F1Krof]

I believe we'll see an Abu Dhabi 2020. Max stretching early on, Mercs will be locked in no man's zone between on 2nd and 3rd.
Behind, we'll see a fierce battle between AT, Ferrari and McLaren. And I can't wait to see what Checo will do coming through the field. Considering how good his race pace is and his tyre management, if everything goes to plan maybe he will challenge the Mercs for podium.

[Zynerji]

If Gasly for some reason could finish above Max and chose to do it despite team wishes (I’m sure he’d get some subtle hints not to) I don’t think it would bode well for his future in the team. Especially with Albon still in the background.

Academic as he won’t.

He could be told to be the de facto wingman though in Perez’ absence.

I don't think Pierre thinks he's in any Red Bull car next year, so I don't think he gives ANY f@cks for team orders.

RBR don't want that blowup in the media when they have their best title shot in ten years...

I think this is gonna get spicy this year, as the AT is seriously fast!

[El Scorchio]

If Gasly for some reason could finish above Max and chose to do it despite team wishes (I’m sure he’d get some subtle hints not to) I don’t think it would bode well for his future in the team. Especially with Albon still in the background.

Academic as he won’t.

He could be told to be the de facto wingman though in Perez’ absence.

I don't think Pierre thinks he's in any Red Bull car next year, so I don't think he gives ANY f@cks for team orders.

RBR don't want that blowup in the media when they have their best title shot in ten years...

I think this is gonna get spicy this year, as the AT is seriously fast!

I agree on that respect that he probably gives no shits, but I meant there’s a possibility he might not even be in the Apha Tauri next race if he showed such disregard for orders- hence my point about Albon still being in the picture.

[Big Tea]

Regarding Strategy for todays race... would it be wise to assume that most of the front runners who are starting on Mediums will try and one stop; Medium/Hard?

If not, then you'd argue the cars that have started on the Softs mightn't loose out too much, should everyone need to 2-stop... Soft/Medium/Medium or Soft/Medium/Hard?

To be fair, I reckon the only cars that could make a 1-stopper work properly would be Verstappen's Red Bull and the 2 Silver Arrows.

Being the first race, it could well be worth while just eeking out as long as possible and hope for a safety car.
I think it is quite possible that the timing of a safety car could decide several results.
Would be a real kick to have one just after stopping for tyres.

[Zynerji]

If Gasly for some reason could finish above Max and chose to do it despite team wishes (I’m sure he’d get some subtle hints not to) I don’t think it would bode well for his future in the team. Especially with Albon still in the background.

Academic as he won’t.

He could be told to be the de facto wingman though in Perez’ absence.

I don't think Pierre thinks he's in any Red Bull car next year, so I don't think he gives ANY f@cks for team orders.

RBR don't want that blowup in the media when they have their best title shot in ten years...

I think this is gonna get spicy this year, as the AT is seriously fast!

I agree on that respect that he probably gives no shits, but I meant there’s a possibility he might not even be in the Apha Tauri next race if he showed such disregard for orders- hence my point about Albon still being in the picture.

Could you IMAGINE what the media would do to RBR if they replaced too-good of a driver in their junior team just because their Chosen One couldn't beat him?

Christian Horner would have to resign!

[NathanOlder]

I know they would just tell Pierre to take it easy, as they could have a power unit 'issue' to nurse home, bit blatant orders to let Max win would be illegal wouldn't they? Its not the same team. so they can't do it can they?

[El Scorchio]

I don't think Pierre thinks he's in any Red Bull car next year, so I don't think he gives ANY f@cks for team orders.

RBR don't want that blowup in the media when they have their best title shot in ten years...

I think this is gonna get spicy this year, as the AT is seriously fast!

I agree on that respect that he probably gives no shits, but I meant there’s a possibility he might not even be in the Apha Tauri next race if he showed such disregard for orders- hence my point about Albon still being in the picture.

Could you IMAGINE what the media would do to RBR if they replaced too-good of a driver in their junior team just because their Chosen One couldn't beat him?

Christian Horner would have to resign!

Well it would be interesting! But I guess they aren’t there to look popular. I wonder though if it looked like the AT was a better bet (obviously not going to be the case and purely hypothetical) would they switch Verstappen to the AT team if it gave him/them the best chance?

[Restomaniac]

A big headwind on the start could hurt those at the front.

[koenigzig]

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/arti ... C0ksg.html

Energy store and Control Electronics change for Checo. No grid drop

[cliffgamerz]

What do we have here