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PREVIEW: Bahrain Grand Prix

PREVIEW: Bahrain Grand Prix

28-03-2019 15:12 Last update: 15:32
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Bobby Vincent

It's nearly time for the Bahrain Grand Prix: a race which marks round two of the Formula One season following a dramatic season-opener in Australia two weeks ago!

Flashback

Sebastian Vettel was victorious in Bahrain in 2018, to make it two wins in as many races, as Ferrari started off the season in excellent style. Lewis Hamilton could only manage third-place, but did start in P9, with his team-mate Valtteri Bottas sandwiched between last season's top-two.

Vettel saw off a thrilling late challenge from Bottas to extend his lead over Hamilton. The German's Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen retired from the race after a nasty collision with one of the team's mechanics!

Pierre Gasly was the surprise package - with the Frenchman finishing just off the podium in fourth-place in his Toro Rosso. Kevin Magnussen, Nico Hulkenberg and Fernando Alonso were in P5, P6 and P7, respectively.

Stoffel Vandoorne picked up a rare points finish in Bahrain - after driving his McLaren to an eighth-place finish, just behind his team-mate Alonso. Marcus Ericsson and Esteban Ocon completed the points finishes.

Red Bull Racing had a torrid day - with both of its drivers, Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo having to retire from the race early!

 

Expectations

It's a very difficult and unclear one to call, this. Ferrari were the quickest in pre-season testing - with many surprised by its disappointing pace shown in Melbourne a fortnight ago. It turned out there was a fundamental issue with Vettel's car which explains the considerable amount of more speed his team-mate Charles Leclerc had.

Mercedes were dominant in Australia, with Bottas in particular excellent throughout the race. Hamilton's car had floor damage, which was revealed following the grand prix. Bahrain marks a race that Hamilton will be desperate to respond and we could see a slightly angry Lewis Hamilton at the weekend.

Red Bull showed good race pace at Albert Park, with Verstappen recording Honda's first podium finish in over 10 years! This will be an interesting one for the energy drink-brand's team. Last season (as seen above), it was an extremely disappointing one for Red Bull - with both drivers not finishing the race. They'll be desperate to respond and there may even be some pressure on Gasly to perform a considerable amount better than he did on his debut.

The midfield battle in Australia was fascinating and it seems Haas are the team to beat there at the moment.

Predictions

From the outside, it looks like Mercedes will once again dominate. Bottas will be keen to gain some momentum, but Hamilton will be eager to respond and beat his team-mate! It will be fascinating. 

It's a HUGE weekend for Ferrari, who have to pull something out of the bag. They cannot afford to lose even more ground on Mercedes this early on in the campaign. Red Bull may have a lot to say like they did a couple of weeks ago.

1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

2. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)

3. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)

4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

6. Daniel Ricciardo (Renault)

7. Pierre Gasly (Red Bull)

8. Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)

9. Romain Grosjean (Haas)

10. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)