Bahrain is here

[Craig.]

Finally after the long break Bahrain is upon us. I dont think we have ever had a season with such unpredictability in terms of who's looking good to win. Honda, Ferrari, Mclaren, Renault and even Williams are looking like they could challenge for this weekend.
Here are the 2nd times from practise 2, the first had few people in it so pointless.

I know these times are only a basic idea, but its is very interesting how high up the STR team are. I thought Norbet Haug was joking when he said they could challenge, but looking at that those V10's really could be an unfair advantage.

[ozzy72]

Seems to be shaping up for an interesting season....

[The Ruptured Duck]

Think Schumi will pull a pole out of his ass tomarrow?

[Craig.]

I think it will be either him Alonso or Button. But with this new system who knows.

[BMan1113VR]

Wow, after watching the second practice, I must say that it looks like it is going to be a legitametly entertaining season.
Some of my notes:

• Cosworth (and therefore Williams) > BMW.
• Button is a bit of a jerk (no offense to anyone).
• Scott Speed is not as good as I would have hoped.
• I am really worried about McLaren's power and reliability.
• Go Renualt!
• V8 Sound: close but no v10
• Changing tire rules = good
• more teams = more fun

[Craig.]

To be fair to Scott Speed, he's had very little time in an F1 car, and now he's been dumped in the back of the grid team (or so most thought). I think once he gets the A1GP style out of his system and has had a few races under his belt he'll be fine.
I agree about Button, the guy enjoys the lifestyle of an F1 driver but just doesn't put in that extra effort needed to win. Thats why he hasn't, and wont until he changes.
The one thing with Super Aguri, if they are not careful they may not even make it to the grid. To this day the 110% I am guessing it was raised from 107% of pole time, is still in effect. They are litterally on that time limit and might not make it onto the grid on numerous tracks this year.

[C]

• Cosworth (and therefore Williams) > BMW.
  

That'd been on the cards ever since the pre season testing got underway. Only a fool would every right off Cosworth - they've got more experience than anyone else (maybe Ferrari excepted) in F1...

[VVM]

am i the only one that thinks button is way over-rated.  dont get me wrong he is good, but i dont think he has got what it takes to be world champ.  and williams had better give mark webber a good car this season!!!

[Craig.]

They're baaack. LOL ok the first few races mean little in terms of actual speed but it was good to see today.
Webber is as over rated as Button. Neither will be that sucessful.

[VVM]

Webber is as over rated as Button

  , how dare you  :D  ;)

[Craig.]

LOL sorry, but all he does is complain about how it was someone elses fault he crashed or how it was something else that caused him to make a mistake. Most other drivers take at least some responsibility.  :-X Sorry again.

[BMan1113VR]

Wow, I am happy for Ferrari! And I must say that the super aguri cars are a joke. . . you can't really use 2001 technology. looks like kimi is starting off as usual. . .I can't wait for tommorrow

p.s. I kinda like this new qualifying system.

[eno]

I like the first two parts of qualifying ...... anything can happen. I found the 3rd part kind of  stupid as it only really got interesting in the last 5 minutes.

Whatever happens it's going to be another interesting season and I wouldn't write off anyone just yet ... Button included.

[Craig.]

There is room to improve that last session. For instance, you could say, each driver has to do 10 laps and all their times are added together divided by 10 and that final time is ther result. That means they get on with fast laps. However I love this new system and it shouldn't be changed for quite a while. Give it a chance for a couple of seasons, instead of changing it because one group of people arn't happy. I think its not nearly as complicated as it was being made out to be.

[Craig.]

What a race. There is definatly nothing in it between Ferrari and Renault right now. Team tactics could be the season decider I think but far to early to tell. Heck of a drive I thought by Rosburg. Lets hope this continues into Malaysia and beyond