Williams’ Nico Rosberg topped the second practice timesheet in Bahrain today, continuing his strong practice form in 2009.
Although believed to be running lighter than most others during practice, Rosberg’s pace looks to point to a good weekend for Williams, who will be looking to get as many points as possible after failing to convert their pace into strong results at the previous three races.
However, Rosberg said he believed the field will return to Malaysia form, with the Brawns quickest, followed by, “Toyota, then us and Red Bull.”
Fernando Alonso spent much of both sessions at the bottom of the table, but right at the end of the final session the Spaniard hammered home a quick time, good enough for second.
Toyota’s Jarno Trulli rounded out the top three in second practice, followed by the Red Bulls of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber respectively, then Brawn’s Jenson Button, and Adrian Sutil for Force India.
The latter team are running a much-updated car this weekend, which includes a rear diffuser similar to the fully-fledged double-deck efforts sported by Brawn, Toyota and Williams, which is already reaping significant benefits.
Lewis Hamilton topped the morning time sheet with the resurgent McLaren, but spent session two on longer runs to test out race pace for Sunday. He finished second practice in 11th.
The two Ferraris of Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen looked to be handling like a bag of spanners all day. Both cars struggled for grip, managing a lowly 16th and 18th.
Ferrari are expecting another tough weekend, so it looks highly unlikely that Massa will take a third consecutive win at a circuit where he’s usually so very strong.
Admittedly test sessions don’t reveal a lot to the outside world, but hey, it’s at least something to talk about on a Friday afternoon if you’re not outside enjoying the sun. Bahrain looks a bit chilly by comparison…
Lewis Hamilton will go for an podium in the race. Go Lewis hamilton!
Bahrain is a good place for KERS.
I like to see the Monaco race.
I’m not a big fan of Bahrain, but the drivers seem to like it, here’s hoping for a good race
i am going to see the bahrain grand prix and i am glad that ferrari are not driving well because they have dominatd the event over th past few years and it is time for a brit to win there!
it is indeed
(^_^)
jenson to win!WOO
jenson to win!WOO
MEH
I just hope Nico and Kazoo can use the strong car which they’ve got and fight for a top 5 or at elast score some points.
Hopefully the guys doing the tactics won’t blow it this time.
You’d better not bring the bloody rain. I want a dry race.
“Bahrain looks a bit chilly by comparison…”
Bet you never thought you’d type that!
So Brawn have shone, Red Bull have shone, now the other two fast teams, Toyota and Williams, are about to have their turn in the next two races I predict!
As for Ferrari, has their been a Bahrain GP WITHOUT a Ferrari winner? Only when Alonso was dominating. I would’ve thought they could pull it out at what may well be their best track…
Sutil up there again – I do hope he gets some points this time, otherwise that’s 3 aim-and-misses (counting Monaco 08 and last week).
looks like roseberg has forgotten he has to top in qualifying and race eh??????
I think Bahrain is a good place for the F1 cars to release their full potential! I’m also surprised that Nico Rosberg’s come fastest in practice! I was thinking Button would do it… I’ve also noticed that in this season of F1 there’s been quite a lot of cheating!
come on vettel!
i actually live in bahrain and have been to the track to see the f1 etc… and i must admit im very impressed with the track although i think the real highlight this weekend is bernie’s private collection of vintage f1 cars which are on show
I think Mclaren and Hamilton can be real contenders this race, as long as they dont go for that stupid 1 stop strategy. They seem to be catching up at a amazing rate.
And heres for points for Force India, hopefully sutil will finally get the points he deserves
Vettel for another one.. given Ferrari is clearly not going to win for a while.
i hope everyone except Raikkonen and Massa crashes, then maybe they have a chance at winning.. if the cars can last that long to make it to the finish line.
forza ferrari!
I hope Hamilton blows it entirely. I’d like to see Webber or Alonso or Barrichello take the top step. They are all due a win by now. With luck the Ferraris will get thier just dessert & take each other out.
GO FERRARI! TAKE IT TOO THEM! ITALIA!
I suspect William’s might pull a good result here.
While Ferrari are doing really appalling, I have a feeling they may scrap away 1 point.
I think BMW will suck.
There are rumours going around that Piquet has until Monte Carlo or Turkey to proove his ability. If he can’t, it’s curtains for him.
I’m supporting Button for this race.
bahrain seems awesome!
Go Rosberg!
This might be a good race.. I’m hoping it’ll end up:
Button, Alonso and Kubica on the top 3. Hopefully both Mclaren and Ferrari will end up “pointless” after this race too
I want x-(
o forget it
come on! if ferrari doesn’t get massa on the podium, im going to stop watching.
Mr. Hibbard, I expect better of you than to quote what you heard earlier on the telly…
“Bahrain looks a bit chilly by comparison…”
I’m sure that slipped out Jake Humphrey’s mouth.
Bye Henry