Carrying on with a bang is the statement that Mercedes have sent out with two wins from two this season and are already on course for number three after a dominant practice in Bahrain.
Mercedes finished top again in practice with Lewis Hamilton topping the timings for P1 ahead of teammate Nico Rosberg. Hamilton is looking for his second victory in seven days in the Middle East this weekend set the fastest lap of the session with a 1:37.502s round the 5.412km Bahrain International Circuit 0.231s faster than his Mercedes compatriot Rosberg.
Fernando Alonso in the Ferrari was third fastest 0.451s off the pace of the 2008 World Champion whilst defending Champion Sebastian Vettel who is looking to make it five drivers championships in a row finished in 10th – 1.887s behind Lewis Hamilton.
This years race will be taking place under floodlights and the 90 minute practice session was notable for a lack of running from some cars, maybe the reason why Red Bull were way off the pace. Mercedes managed to complete 27 laps between the two W05s as they considered finishing with half an hour to go until Fernando Alonso displayed his Championship credentials.
However the surprise of the session had to be Nico Hulkenberg in the Force India as he finished p1 as fourth quickest ahead of his teammate Sergio Perez in ninth. Jensen Button started his milestone weekend with a fifth placed finish in practice. He celebrates his 250th Grand Prix in Sakir this weekend but Button has already conceded defeat ahead of his special race.
Button said: “”We’re not going to win the grand prix and we have a very slim chance of a podium.
It was a car that was designed to have a good balance initially. We knew that the car was lacking in downforce. That was always the direction we wanted to take, a car we could really build on, last year’s car was the opposite.
So, yes, I think we have done the right thing – we just didn’t expect Mercedes to be so much further in front.”
Even if Button doesn’t make it on the podium this weekend in Bahrain, the achievements he has won in his career are phenomenal and you can’t rule him or his McLaren team out of the running for the trophy at the end of the season, not just yet anyway.
I still think that it is Mercedes race to throw away because of the pace that the W05 car’s have as oppose to the rest of the formula one team, and I fully expect one Mercedes driver if not two on the podium come Sunday evening, it sure is to be an interesting night race!
My Predictions for Sakir:
Winner: Lewis Hamilton
Pole: Nico Rosberg
Fastest Lap: Lewis Hamilton
Surprise driver: Nico Hulkenberg
Enjoy the race!
liam headd 