2021 F1 race thread *Round 1: Bahrain*

[Antonov]

No thread yet, with the first practice of the year just under an hour away.

The first round of the 2021 F1 season will take place in the little Gulf state of Bahrain (after the Australian GP was postponed due to Covid-concerns).



The standard track will be used for this weekend's race.

I'm sure everyone had his/her doubts about the location of this race back when it was added to the F1 calendar.
(if only for the proverbial miles of run-off and lack of fans)

But unlike the Abu Dhabi circuit, also located in the Gulf Region, the Sakhir on-track action combined with some beautiful night time scenes, has pretty much made this a favorite among fans.

So, can someone in brief update me on the 'major' rule changes for the 2021 season?

EDIT BY CHEEVEER, 2021-03-29, 21:31CET: this is STILL the Bahrain thread

[XcraigX]

This is a track where the rule changes made an impact on the racing. It was dull as paint drying during the V8 era and I was one calling for dropping this race from the calendar. However, since the Hybrid V6 era, we've had some great races.
Adding opening weekend to it (and the chance for some errors mixing up the grid) should be good.

[Picci]

Lewis being introduced as "Sir Lewis Hamilton" on the Sky graphics. Ok he got knighted but I've never seen sportsmen being shown the actual titles on sports coverage before

[PTRACER]

I posted some stream links in the chat box

[MonteCristo]

Go, go, go.

[PTRACER]

Apparently the Mercedes brought to this race weekend is identical in every way to the car driven in testing 2 weeks ago. No new aero parts.

[White six]

I hadn't really realised it , but it's alpeeeeen, not al pine lol

Anyway, I don't like them now ceeeee real has gone

[DoubleFart]

I had totally forgotten that the Friday sessions had been reduced to 60 minutes each.

This really is the least prepared the teams will have been for a season in decades. 3 days testing, 180 minutes of practice and you're into Quali.

[White six]

Merc going for it early, displays their nerves

[erwin greven]

HAM fastest: 1:32.214
VER +0.239 and BOT +0.495

[Antonov]

So, can someone in brief update me on the 'major' rule changes for the 2021 season?

One I didn't know before
Friday practice has been cut from 2x 1,5h to 2x 1h

What are the other changes, please?

[Everso Biggyballies]

So, can someone in brief update me on the 'major' rule changes for the 2021 season?

I opened a thread on it ages ago.

http://www.the-fastlane.co.uk/forums/vi ... 17&t=16939

[Antonov]

@Everso Biggyballies

Pack looks very tight. Not a lot happening, but with winter testing being so limited, I imagine these sessions are about gathering further data about the new cars.

[PTRACER]

They are still many seconds off the fastest times in testing. Don't expect to see much until tomorrow.

[Antonov]

They are still many seconds off the fastest times in testing. Don't expect to see much until tomorrow.

Not to forget the track is 'green' again (or in this context: sandy).

Also, as temperatures go down with nightfall, lap times do get quicker a bit (I think?)