Formula 1 2018 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix

Bahrain Grand Prix – Sakhir 8 April

Posted: 08.04.2018
Source: Ferrari

Maurizio Arrivabene: “Today’s result, with a win for Sebastian, is confirmation of the great job done by the team, of an effective car and of a driver who drove like a true champion right to the very end. It was a shame for Kimi, who would have completed a fine result for the team. We chose to take one of our mechanics up onto the podium as a mark of respect to our colleague Francesco who was injured during the pit stop. The whole team hopes he recovers quickly. We are already preparing for the next race in China and as usual we will give it our all.”

Sebastian Vettel: “Obviously, this is a great way to start the season and it wasn’t expected. Obviously Australia was a different race and if you compare these two races, here we had the pace and won on our own. So, I think it’s been much better, but it was a very tough race. It took a while for the adrenaline to go, but for the next week we are not sure where we are going to be. It is difficult to predict with everything changing so much. In China it will be a different track and a different challenge, but we have to improve our car and work on it. We still need to improve the balance. However, if we should have a similar feeling like here, then I think we should be in a good shape. We were losing a little bit at the end and Bottas was getting closer. We couldn’t wait and see what he was doing. So, in response to that we had to come in first to protect the track as much as I could. We had targeted two stops and that’s why we had chosen Soft tires. But then we had to change strategy; the tires were already wearing out, but then it seemed everything was ok. But after 10 or 12 laps, the tires got worse and the last five laps were very tricky. It feels better winning here than in Australia, because here we had the pace. So, I am very happy, even though it’s sad to see one of our guys getting injured. I wish him to get well soon, I know he’s in very good hands now.”

Kimi Raikkonen: “What happened to our guy Francesco today at the pit-stop is very unfortunate. I feel sorry for him and hope he’s going to be OK soon. It’s always a bad thing when someone gets injured but I am sure he has the best people taking good care of him and I wish him a speedy recovery. As for the accident itself, all I know is that I moved when I saw the green light go on. I couldn’t have possibly realized that there was an issue with the rear left wheel, then I saw someone had got hurt and, immediately, I was told to stop by the team. Unfortunately something must have gone wrong and we’ll need to find out what. The car had good speed today but I had some wheelspin at the start. Anyway, there’s not much I can do now but wait for the next race, where we’ll try to do our best.”

Bahrain Grand Prix – A win for Francesco

Posted: 08.04.2018
Source: Ferrari

Seb first once again, Kimi retires after an accident in the pits leaves a mechanic injured

Sakhir, 8 April –You always fight to win, but not all victories are the same and this one is bittersweet. For the second time in as many races, Sebastian Vettel won with Scuderia Ferrari, but at the moment, the thoughts of everyone in the team are with the mechanic who was injured during Kimi Raikkonen’s pit stop, the Finn stopping and retiring immediately after in pit lane. As for the Grand Prix, it was closely contested right down to the final corner and the win came courtesy of a well thought out strategy and the abilities of the driver who managed to make a set of Soft tyres last 38 laps no less, on a track that is one of the hardest on tyres.

Off an all-red front row, Seb made the most of pole, while Kimi who was starting on the dirty side of the track was attacked and passed by Bottas. The virtual safety car was soon deployed, when Verstappen had a puncture as a result of a coming together with Hamilton in the middle of the pack. The race got underway again on lap 4, with Sebastian quickest, a couple of seconds ahead of Bottas. In the garage, an analysis of our speed in individual corners and that of our rivals was taking place as well as working out how much fuel had been saved while the race was neutralised A long distance duel with Hamilton thus began, the Englishman fourth, 15 seconds adrift, but running the harder tyre: Supersoft for the SF71H and Soft for the Mercedes.

19 laps, one third distance, Seb pitted as planned and fitted the yellow-banded Softs. The order was Bottas, Raikkonen, Hamilton and Vettel. Next time round, Kimi did the same. Vettel pushed hard and Bottas, emerging from pit lane on the Mediums, lost ground. On lap 25, Seb was in DRS range in his duel with Hamilton, closing to under a second. It was time for wheel to wheel combat and Seb didn’t lose any time, diving inside his rival under braking at the start of lap 26. Hamilton changed tyres immediately, also fitting the Prime Medium. Seb had 5” in hand over Bottas, who was aiming to finish the race doing one less stop. Sebastian lost time with backmarkers but Kimi made the most of the traffic to close on his fellow countryman.

Lap 36 and something you never want to see happened: Kimi came in to change tyres and as he drove off, the mechanic on the left rear wheel was knocked over. The number 7 car stopped immediately, Seb stayed out on track, but at this time, strategy, racing, counted for much less and with one of our own in the medical centre, the thoughts of everyone in the team went out to him. Out on track, Bottas pursued Sebastian for 20 laps, but our driver never gave him room, even though his tyres were finished. That is Ferrari and that, Francesco, is for you. Hurry back.

Bahrain Grand Prix – Statement from Ferrari Chairman Mr. Sergio Marchionne

Posted: 08.04.2018
Source: Ferrari

First and foremost, I wish our mechanic a speedy recovery and hope to see him back on track soon. The team performed consistently all weekend and we were front runners right from the start of practice. It was a difficult race and Sebastian drove like a true champion. I am sorry for Kimi who could certainly have finished on the podium. This Grand Prix confirms that the Scuderia has a great car, a solid team and two drivers on top form. But it also showed how close things are between us and our rivals, who are very strong. That’s why, at the risk of repeating myself, it’s worth pointing out that there is still a long way to go and we have to maintain a high level of concentration, continuing to work diligently and with passion, which is something we are well capable of. It’s the only way we can give our fans other equally satisfying Sundays.

Bahrain Grand Prix – “We’ve built a very strong car”

Posted: 07.04.2018
Source: Ferrari

Seb and Kimi secure front row lock-out: “The team deserves this result”

Sakhir, April 7 – At the end of a tense qualifying session, Seb Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen flashed through the finish line of the Bahrain International Circuit to take first and second spot on tomorrow’s starting grid. It is the 214^th pole position for Scuderia Ferrari and the 59^th front row lock-out since 1950, while Sebastian claimed his sixth pole for the Cavallino squad and 51^st overall. On a track that calls for power, traction and tire management, the two SF71Hs proved their worth and the whole team gave their best.

“I think we have a good base and the car is working”, Seb commented. “We have improved in our work on the car. In the beginning it’s always a bit difficult, but now everything is getting better. So, it was nice to keep the car alive. I felt quite good from the start and made some progress during the session. I am very happy with the last laps I did, and also obviously with the result I got. I was really glad to see how the car was responding today. We worked on the setup and tried different things. In Australia the track is tricky and bumpy, so it was difficult to change too much and draw any conclusions. But after the race and with the mileage we did, I think we understood the car better. It’s nice to see that we have built a very strong car and that today we are able to put it on the front row, beating everybody else. It’s been a great result that the whole team deserves. However, the ‘big day’ is tomorrow”.

Kimi’s last qualifying attempt was slightly hampered by traffic, but nonetheless was good enough for second: “My last run was far from perfect; there was traffic and  we couldn’t improve. We did not give ourselves a proper chance to do the best we could. The car had a lot of speed, but we did not take full advantage of that. I’m sure there was a lot more to come. Anyway, we start the race in a good position, so I’m a bit disappointed today but that’s how it goes.. Tomorrow is another day and we should have a good car; we hope for a better result. The key point will be tire management; it will be tricky for everybody. We’ll try to make the best of it, and I’ll go as fast as I can”.

Bahrain Grand Prix – Ferrari front row in Sakhir

Posted: 07.04.2018
Source: Ferrari

Bahrain Grand Prix – Final free practice

Posted: 07.04.2018
Source: Ferrari

Kimi fastest, Seb shortens his programme

Sakhir, 7 Aprile – Nell’ultima sessione di prove libere al Bahrain International Circuit, i piloti della Scuderia Ferrari hanno ottenuto il primo e quinto tempo, rispettivamente con Kimi Raikkonen (1:29.868) e Sebastian Vettel (1:30.719).

In condizioni di pista certo non analoghe a quelle che i piloti troveranno durante le qualifiche di questa sera (ore 17 in Italia)  Kimi ha utilizzato un set di gomme medie e due di Super Soft, Sebastian uno di Medie e uno di Super Soft.  15 i giri del finlandese, 8 quelli del tedesco, che ha preferito interrompere le prove anzitempo per intervenire su un piccolo problema elettrico.

Temperature: asfalto 39°, aria 32°

Bahrain Grand Prix – “We can improve even further”

Posted: 06.04.2018
Source: Ferrari

Kimi and Seb look ahead to the remainder of the weekend

Sakhir, March 6 – Topping the timesheets on Friday does not bring any points, and Scuderia Ferrari drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel are well aware that the Bahraini weekend has just begun. Nevertheless, their comments after the first day of practice reflected the hard work that the whole team had carried out. Kimi had to pull off the track and stop the car right at the end of the session due to a loose front right wheel, when his pitwall promptly informed him that something wasn’t right.                                                        

“It was a pretty straightforward day and the car felt ok”, said Kimi. “As on any Friday, we tried different things, tested and learned as much as possible. The feeling was pretty much the same everywhere, but in certain zones of the track  we want to do better. If we look purely at lap times it was OK, but that doesn’t tell you much; It’s only the first day and it’s impossible to know what the others were doing. At the end of the second session, right after the pit-stop, I felt some vibrations in the car and the team told me to slow down and park the car. We found out that the front  wheel was a bit loose, so we had to stop. For sure we still have to improve;  tonight we’ll put all the data together to try and do even better”.

“It is difficult to say where we are just from one day of practice” Seb commented “but we did make some progress. In the long runs we can do better, so let’s see what happens tomorrow. We made some mistakes here and there, but we tried to get the rhythm for qualifying. This is the time you need to try and take the car to the limit, especially this evening because conditions are the same as those you will have tomorrow and on Sunday night. I don’t have any conclusions to draw after the results we got today. We focus on ourselves and mostly try to get a better feeling with the car, as we still have some work to do, but I think we can improve further”.

Bahrain Grand Prix – Practice 2, Ferrari in front

Posted: 06.04.2018
Source: Ferrari

Bahrain Grand Prix – Practice underway

Posted: 06.04.2018
Source: Ferrari

Kimi ahead of Seb in FP1

Sakhir, 6 April – The Bahrain Grand Prix weekend, the second round of the Formula 1 season, is now underway. At the end of the first free practice session, the Scuderia Ferrari drivers were third and fourth fastest with Kimi Raikkonen (1’31”458) and Sebastian Vettel (1’31”470.) Both drivers ran the Medium and Soft tyres. Towards the end of the session the drivers did a short race pace runThe second practice session starts at 17h00 CET.

Bahrain Grand Prix – “Still a lot to learn”

Posted: 05.04.2018
Source: Ferrari

Seb and Kimi ahead of Bahrain: the car has potential

Sakhir, April 5th – Hazy skies and a strong breeze welcomed the F1 teams to the second round of the 2018 Championship. Scuderia Ferrari drivers Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen arrived late last night in Bahrain, and by late morning they showed up at the track that will host the first night race of the season on Sunday. The win and double podium finish in Melbourne has only served to reinforce their focus and determination for the coming weekend, in which Seb is expected to take the 200th start of his F1 career.

“ I think this year we have a better car”, says Seb “but we have to make it work at its full potential. At the beginning of the year it is normal that you still have to get to know the car. Obviously the time that we have on track to try things is limited, but we have some ideas for here that we are going to try. As for myself, I need to do my job and we need to do our job as a team. We only look at ourselves and try to improve and I am confident, as the car has potential”.

“Melbourne was a good and straightforward weekend,” added Kimi. “Overall we had a good feeling with the car and decent speed . The Sakhir track is very different and with completely different conditions. Practice will be in the daylight and the race in the dark, but we are used to it. It’s quite hot and the feeling with your car is different. I’m happy with the way we started the season, but we need to keep working hard, improve things and hopefully we’ll achieve a good result again with both cars. We need to be up there straightaway and consistently. We are still in the early days of a long season and there are still many things we need to learn about this car. I think there’s a lot of potential; where it’s going to take us in the end, we don’t know. But we’ll give our best, that’s for sure”.

Bahrain Grand Prix – The pearl of the Gulf

Posted: 04.04.2018
Source: Ferrari

The first back-to-back pair of races of 2018 begins in Bahrain

Two men wearing dishdasha, the traditional Arab garb, kneel in the dust and activate a detonator for an explosive charge. And so began the story of the Bahrain International Circuit. When one thinks of a desert, everyone thinks of sand, but in this small island state on the Persian Gulf, the terrain is predominantly rocky and explosives were required to prepare the ground for the race track. This Grand Prix has been on the calendar every year since 2004 with the exception of 2011 when it was cancelled because of civil unrest. Occasionally, it has been the first race of the season, while this time it kicks off the first pair of back to back races of the very long 2018 season, with Shanghai following on one weekend later. That places extra demands on the race team and its logistical support. The Scuderia’s advance party arrived in the Gulf over the Easter weekend.

The Sakhir circuit is not far from the capital, Manama, in fact the whole island is not much more than 50 kilometres in length and the route from town involves a motorway, followed by wide flag-lined streets. The track itself is also very wide – over 20 metres at some points – making for a variety of racing lines. The circuit layout includes pretty much every type of corner, but the main feature is heavy braking. In 2010, the 6.3 km long “endurance” track was used but it was not particularly popular with the drivers. Apart from the glass conical tower, what stands out are the floodlights that light up the track for qualifying and the race ever since the GP became a night race back in 2014. Manama lacks the glitz of the other Emirate capitals, but there is a contrast between the old quarter with its markets and the modern skyscrapers. As for the weather, there is no guarantee of sunny conditions all weekend, even if the temperatures are unlikely to dip below the 30 degree mark. And don’t think it never rains in the desert here, as it did just that on the Sunday of the first race…