Fernando Alonso did say during winter testing that the Ferrari F10 was the best car he had ever driven, and based over the opening weekend of the 2010 Formula One season, few would incline to doubt him. The Spaniard joins the elite pantheon of Ferrari race winners and, more importantly, a rare group of drivers who managed to win on their Ferrari debut. Even Michael Schumacher couldn't manage that. There is an old saying what a difference a year makes, and for the Prancing Horse it couldn't be said any better after they secured a one-two in Bahrain and the maximum 43 points on offer thanks to new scoring system. Compared to last year it is certainly a huge improvement. Lewis Hamilton also picked up an early podium thanks to the unfortunate Sebastien Vettel, who after leading for the majority of the race, succumbed to an engine exhaust problem, relegating him to fourth at the finish. Comeback star Michael Schumacher only managed a quiet sixth while defending World Champion Jenson Button finished seventh.
This weekend was a step into the relatively unknown with new regulations banning in-race refueling for the first time since 1993 the biggest factor. Each car had to start the race on a giant full tank of fuel, which for any Formula One car creates enough ballast to make any car quite a handful when compared to a lighly fueled car, which was the style of previous years when cars qualified light on fuel and usually pitted for a top-up early on. It was the Red Bull of Vettel who had shocked weekend pace-setters Ferrari on Saturday afternoon and from the lights out it was the plucky young German who led with consonant ease. With refueling not an option, it was up to drivers within their cars to manage the next most crucial part of their car-the tyres. With heavy fuel loads comes greater pressure on the tyres, which can only give a car so much optimum grip before eventually giving way and making the car cry out for a fresh set. From the start the Red Bull of Vettel gave the Ferrari's of Alonso and Massa something to think about. Vettel was fast, very fast and consistant, where the Ferrari's simply had no match.
The task of mechanics making a pit-stop has now become so much more crucial no that refueling has been banned. Tyres must be changed in just over 4 seconds, anything more could seriously affect any race position. Teams have been practicing their tyre switches constantly over the summer, with teams like Mercedes practicing nearly 70 times a day. Once the first round of pit stops was complete the tables turned. Suddenly Alonso, who was now on the harder set of tyres, found himself reeling in Vettel, whose Red Bull wasnt adjusting to the hard set like it was to the softs. Within a matter of laps, Alonso had the gap down to 1.5 seconds, but found himself caught in the all too known "dirty air", where hot air from the car in front disturbs any car behind's aerodynamics. Alonso thus had to back off and bide his time. Sadly, any chance of a duel between Alonso and Vettel were quickly dashed out of the blue when the German suddenly lost power down the straight, thanks to a engine exhaust problem. Alonso took the lead with thanks and was quickly followed by Massa as both Ferrari's raced to the flag to collect their one-two, Vettel continued to race to the flag and to his credit finished fourth.
There was certainly an air of excitement surrounding this weekend for the return of Michael Schumacher for the first time since Brazil 2006. Reunited with Ross Brawn the man who produced so many World Championship seasons at Ferrari, the German felt relaxed amongst all the media attention he received around the Sakhir paddock. Sadly for the German and all those who expected him to produce instant magic, he was never close to victory or even a podium over the entire weekend. Afterwards the 7 time World Champion complained about the new rules and believed that the lack of overtaking in future races will remain the same. His voice was backed up by from other drivers including Lewis Hamilton and defending champion Jenson Button, who like Schumacher, found himself well off the pace and in the one position the entire race to which he believed was like racing in "procession". I would have to agree with all three of their points. Though its certainly a radical change in banning refueling, all the overtaking seemed to be either at the start or within the midfield and back, where lesser teams squabbled it out for pride. Though this is just the first race, one has to wonder is this just the start.
So what of the new teams? Without question it was the Malaysian backed Lotus Racing who covered themselves in glory on their return to the grid, who were the only team out of the three new ones to finish the race. Hispania Racing, who had already conceded the Bahrain Grand Prix as just a practice run had both cars out of the race by the half-way stage, the same went for Richard Branson's Virgin. It will certainly be an almighty battle of pride between these three teams and so far, Lotus have taken a giant lead.
Though it may not have been the explosive start to the season so many had hoped for the first race in Bahrain has produced many questions. Is it Red Bull or Ferrari that is the fastest? Red Bull believe they are and Ferrari vice-versa. Will Red Bull be hampered by more reliability problems yet again as in 2009? Will Mclaren continue to be a good second off the pace of the front? Can Mercedes also close the gap to the front and give the win-hungry Schumacher something more to smile about? Will the next race be another procession? So many questions that will have to wait another two weeks, when the Formula One circus heads to Albert Park, Melbourne. The above questions cant be answered after one weekend, we need more action to make a conclusion.
Start of the Grand Prix. Crucial as Alonso gets the jump on team mate Massa - Click Here
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