2010 Bahrain GP in pictures

Ugh, I’ve finally woken up after the Bahrain Grand Prix. For an off-season that managed to keep Formula One fans on the edge of their seats, the season opener was a rather dull affair. That cannot be questioned, as evidenced by the chorus of criticism, from team principals, drivers and fans across the globe.

I’ve been told that Fernando Alonso won the race in his debut outing with Ferrari. Teammate Felipe Massa reminded us there’s more than one driver returning to F1 this year by claiming second. And 2008 champ Lewis Hamilton grabbed the last podium. A podium all three men owed to a wilting RB6 under Sebastien Vettel’s otherwise expert command (or perhaps his car was just running out of petrol)

We’ve heard from the likes of Mark Webber that the dullness in Bahrain was due to the new rule changes in force for 2010. With a full season, and off-season, of development behind them it would seem the double diffusers are even more effective in 2010 and the dirty air they create behind each car makes it impossible for the car behind to overtake. Or so we are being told.

We’re also being told the track layout at Bahrain is to blame and that other more passing friendly circuits will liven things up. Mind, it’s a bit dismal that a track with 23 corners cannot illicit any overtaking opportunities.

The refuelling ban and tyres that have reasonable life in them seems to ensure single pit stop strategies for the entire field. There’s been talk of introducing two mandatory stops in a bid to bring some life into F1 v2010. Not sure about you, but if the best idea to increase on track action is to increase the number of pit stops, well, Formula One is in more trouble than it cares to admit.

Or could this whole snorefest chatter and ensuing theories simply be a load of old cobblers? First of all Bahrain was the first of a 19 race calendar, so it’s still a wee bit early to be suggesting the whole season will be boring due to the results what we saw at Sakhir.

I think the idea to lessen the durability of tyres has merit, but rather than increasing the number of mandatory pit stops, leave the drivers to their devices. Let’s see some racecraft in Formula One. Speaking of drivers, how long do you think they will meekly fall into submission to form another 18 processions? Look back to the second last race of 2009, Brazil, where Jenson Button wanted to wrap up the championship so he could enjoy a more leisurely outing in Abu Dhabi. His drive at Interlagos showed genuine flashes of brilliance, courage and dexterity. Perhaps if more drivers took a leaf out of Jenson’s Interlagos play book, grew some balls and took some calculated risks then the sport would be the better for it.

Or maybe the Schumacher effect has taken hold and his return has taken us back to the days when F1 was indeed a procession. At least in Bahrain it was a different dual world champion dominating in his new Ferrari.

Pics from Ferrari, Mercedes GP and Red Bull Racing follow. Some great pit lane images from RBR, too.