bahrain

Well, how wrong was I?

Bahrain turned out to be a really interesting race.  It was virtually non-stop, with lots of overtaking and good on-circuit action (and a bit of not so good action).

I think a big part of it is the DRS, which really works here - it enables them to get into a position for overtaking but doesn't make it a simple drive-past like it does at some other circuits.  That's why it actually made China a worse race - if it's a circuit where there are already a few chances to overtake then it either makes those areas too easy or shifts the overtaking from that area to the main straight (why battle it out in a corner when you can just wait and drive past on the straight).

It wasn't all clean battling in Bahrain.  Perez trying to overtake Button was a bit close to the mark (he even hit him a couple of times).  For team-mates it's good that they were keen to fight and not ordered not to at all, but it needs to be totally clean - taking out your own team-mate (and, worse, yourself as well) is an absolute no-no as it basically ruins the work of the team and could cost valuable points.

However, that wasn't the only action - there were good fights between plenty of other cars too and some interesting results - the Force India of Paul Di Resta, for example, got up to 4th.  The Lotus is looking extremely consistent - Vettel won, but Kimi and Grosjean were in 2nd and 3rd.  The Red Bull therefore looks less comprehensively dominant than in previous years and we know there are circuits it doesn't suit as well given the design philosophy.  However, the Lotus looks like it may be a good performer whatever the circuit.

Ferrari also look strong, but Alonso and Massa were horribly unlucky.  Alonso's DRS failed quite early, which meant he couldn't use it, effectively tying one hand behind his back.  This was having had the issue with the front wing last time, so he's dropped a lot of potential points.  Massa had two punctures, which is almost unheard of - both it sounded like came from cuts in the tyres and there were a few smashes that would have left debris on the circuit, but very unlucky to get two.

There's a bit of a gap now until the next race, which is Spain, I believe.  I think we also go into a stretch of alternate week races, rather than double-headers, which is better, I feel.  The odd double-header is okay, but when they happen a lot I find it quite disruptive to my routines and plans.