.png "os2 trasparenza (1)")
A contingent of Filipino hostesses, elegant in their Ferrari-red uniforms, welcomes the new arrivals to comfortable lounges, just enough time for document checks. Outside, the limousines for the guests await with engines running. The hotels are fully booked. The police presence in the city center is barely noticeable. One year after the last Grand Prix, Manama appears more orderly, cleaner, and calmer. But it's after sunset that the fires of protest ignite, not among the glass and steel skyscrapers of the Financial Harbour or in the villas of the diplomatic district but in the impoverished neighborhoods of Budeja, Sanabys, Sitra, where the young Shiites, like last year, await Formula 1 to let the world know they still exist, that they have not yielded. The places of protest have not changed. Bilad al Qadim is a cluster of low houses overshadowed by the distant towers of international business and the big malls of global consumerism. There are no palm gardens and English lawns transplanted into the desert sands, like those flourishing in the rich neighborhoods, but abandoned spaces transformed into impromptu dumps due to speculation. Public lighting is minimal. The streets, shrouded in darkness, provide an easy retreat for demonstrators. And so, seemingly out of nowhere, at fixed hours, the fires of protest ignite. Barricades of waste and tires burn all night. From the garden of a nearby mosque, Molotov cocktails rain down not only on police armored vehicles but also on cars forced to slow down. Toxic fumes thicken in the air. Someone has written on the wall surrounding the mosque:
"No to the Formula of blood".
In reality, the city, Bahrain, which largely coincides with its capital, is divided into two. Those who love Formula 1 and those who detest it but still use it. Those who would like to present the Grand Prix as evidence of regained normalcy, two and a half years after the Shiite uprising began, and those who, instead, take advantage of the presence of the media, drawn in mass by the sporting event, to declare that nothing has changed in the secular realm of the al Khalifa, democracy is lacking, discrimination against the Shiite minority by the Sunni majority prevails, and repression is continually honing its methods. So, just like last year, alongside the grand spectacle of the cars that will attract millions of viewers in every corner of the world, the opponents will once again try to stage the endless drama of a social and political protest that, if it weren't for Formula 1 with its army of cameras and journalists, would likely have already been forgotten. A major demonstration has been called for Friday by the opposition coalition Al Wafaq. But since the message of the protesters may be unpopular with the large motor racing audience, one of the Wafaq leaders, Khalid Marzuk, is quick to emphasize that the demonstration will be absolutely peaceful and not aimed at sabotaging the Grand Prix, so no public mobilization is planned for Sunday. The point is that Wafaq does not represent all of the Shiite opposition, and Marzuk himself admits that a significant portion of the young activists elude the organization's control. Like those who detonated a homemade explosive device in the city on the night between Sunday and Monday, claiming the operation with the previously unseen and probably convenient signature of the February 14 Collective, named after the date (February 14, 2011) when the uprising began. The same group clarifies their intentions on Thursday night, releasing the slogan that will accompany the protests this weekend: "Volcano of Anger". Now, it is unlikely that these heightened tensions will compromise Sunday's race. Security measures should prevent any unpredictable escalation. The highway to the Sakhir circuit is under very close surveillance. Armored vehicles are stationed at almost every one of the 30 kilometers that separate the track from Manama. Ground patrols, armed, of course, observe the Shiite neighborhoods along the major artery. The circuit itself is surrounded by a network of checkpoints. But it's not just the police presence on the ground that makes serious incidents unlikely. The opposition also appears weakened by preventive arrests (about a hundred, according to the Wafaq) and the fatigue of many activists.
"I don't see why the Grand Prix shouldn't be a success".
Bernie Ecclestone, the deus ex machina of Formula 1, says he's willing to meet with opposition leaders, which could actually happen.
Nevertheless, the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend could mark a turning point in the 2013 Formula 1 World Championship, even as it begins amid suspicions and internal struggles, especially within Red Bull. The case of the dinner that saw Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber together, as well as the celebration of Mark Webber's 200 Grand Prixs, celebrated by the Anglo-Austrian team with a video that does not feature the reigning champion Sebastian Vettel, is causing a stir.
Regarding the incriminated dinner, Fernando Alonso himself downplays it, saying:
"I don't see anything strange about it. In Spain, they say the thief thinks everyone is in his same condition... We talked more about bicycles than F1".
On the other hand, Alonso is focused on the fate of the World Championship, eager to repeat the success of Shanghai:
"The victory in China hasn't changed anything. I was confident before, and I am now. Of course, we respect our rivals, who we know are very strong and fast. It's a result to be taken with caution. We had a very good race in Australia and were unlucky in Malaysia. In China, we recovered some points, and now we come to Bahrain with the feeling that we can do well. Is the F138 the best car? No. The car I found the most enjoyable to drive, the one that gave me the most confidence, is the F10. It was very competitive, and here in Bahrain, in the first race of 2010, Felipe Massa and I finished first and second. With the F138, we won in China, but if we had another retirement after Malaysia, people would be saying the car wasn't up to par".
Fernando Alonso hopes for improvements to the car, especially in qualifying:
"We hope that the car's updates make it better and bring us greater competitiveness, especially on Saturdays. On Sundays, the car and the team are very strong: we have a good race pace, good starts, and reliable pit stops. We manage the tires well on long runs. These are our strengths, so if we're missing two, three, or five tenths, it's a concern in quotes. We need to be faster as soon as possible, but let's not forget our strengths. Our goal is to win races and the World Championship. Balance on the track? Experience with these tires is helping. Ferrari, Red Bull, Lotus, and Mercedes are in the fight, but in a few races, I expect Button to be able to compete for the win".
Felipe Massa, on his part, hopes to learn from the disappointing experience of the Chinese Grand Prix:
"Planning everything carefully will be crucial. In the last race, I had a major graining issue with the medium tires, even in the Friday practice sessions. With the track improving over the weekend, I found much more grip at the rear, so in the race, I focused on preserving the front tires at the start. Then the graining began, which cost me in the second stint. In the third stint, I decided to push, which cleaned the tires from graining. So perhaps it was entirely wrong to try to preserve the front tires. I'm not worried about having hard tires here because I had no problem with this type of tire in Malaysia; there was graining, but it affected everyone".
The Brazilian continues:
"I believe that the difference in lap times between the two tire specifications will be significant here, which means that many in the race will try to use the mediums as much as possible. Once again, it will be crucial to devise a good strategy. Overall, I think Pirelli is doing a good job, and the Grand Prix races we are witnessing are entertaining the fans. What's the secret to going fast here? A secret is a secret".
And adds:
"I have always liked racing on this track since the first time I was here with Sauber in 2004. It's a great circuit with long straights and heavy braking zones, where traction is also important. Tension with teammates? I have always had strong teammates in the same garage, and many people have said it's not a positive thing, but for me, it is. It pushes you to always do your best because if you don't do a perfect job, your teammate is always there. I've learned a lot by being alongside those who the world has considered the best drivers around. You're always under pressure to be perfect every day, and I like that".
Meanwhile, at Red Bull, they are celebrating Mark Webber's 200 Grand Prixs. However, in the celebratory video prepared by Red Bull, his teammate Sebastian Vettel is conspicuously absent, further deepening the apparent rivalry between the two. In the video, Webber explains the reasons that led him to join Red Bull in 2007:
"It was a young team, which gave me a lot of motivation".
Webber is then praised by all his team principals: Christian Horner, Paul Stoddart, and Frank Williams. Horner, the current team principal of Red Bull, recalls the reasons that led him to bet on Webber:
"We needed a fast driver, a winner".
Stoddart, who witnessed Webber's debut at Minardi in 2002, bets on a long-lasting career:
"He's a legend, and in a few years, we'll be here talking about his 250 Grand Prixs".
On Sunday, April 21, 2013, Mark Webber will become the third active driver to reach 200 races, joining the exclusive club that already includes Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso. Webber is not leading the World Championship; in fact, he is in sixth place with half the points of his teammate, the formidable Vettel, who leads with 52 points. Webber is not the favorite in Bahrain, and after his challenges in China, he would settle for a simple podium. He should not be in the center of attention, yet in the paddock, everyone is talking about him. Despite his dinner with Alonso in Dubai on Tuesday evening, just before arriving in Bahrain, two friends meeting and dining amicably, Vettel, the great rival of the Spanish driver, is also Webber's teammate. They should be working together to thwart Ferrari's ambitions. Not only did they set the table, but Alonso also shared a photo on Twitter, an unequivocal message to let the world (and Vettel) know where alliances stand in case of need. As mentioned, a video from Red Bull further fueled the fire, celebrating Mark Webber for his 200 Grand Prixs (which he will reach on Sunday), and he is cheered and praised by everyone except his teammate. Vettel does not participate in the celebration, not appearing in any footage, unlike many figures from Webber's past and present, old masters, and current members of his team. An oversight? That's what they claim. It is purely coincidental that the image of Webber having dinner with Alonso ended up on the web. After all, they have known each other for thirteen years and even had the same manager (Briatore). As Webber says, it's just media paranoia. However, if you dig deeper, you realize that certain comments, often suspicious, turn sour. Regarding the dinner, Vettel says:
"Were they naked? Sooner or later, each of us has to eat. And eating alone is extremely boring".
His irony is accompanied by a grimace that suggests he would have been better off not commenting.
Just imagine what Alonso would have said if his German rival had gone to lunch with Massa. The Spanish driver responds with a proverb from his country:
"If someone is a thief, they think everyone steals like them. If I saw a picture of the two of them, I wouldn't find anything wrong. With Webber, I talked about triathlons, his survival race in Tasmania, cycling, and his injured leg from some time ago. Not a word about F1".
No talk of cars, there will be time from Friday, April 19, 2013, with the first practice sessions. Alonso is dreaming of a second victory, and just to emphasize the competition with Vettel, he says:
"My most feared opponent? Not only Hamilton, Raikkonen is also scary. Last year, he was extremely consistent, perhaps the best driver of 2012".
Vettel, of course, wouldn't do that. He'd be like a fish out of water at the same table. At the moment, Felipe Massa is once again ahead of Fernando Alonso. It's a small margin, just 0.077 seconds, but it's something that has been happening often in this World Championship. Even in the first practice session of the Bahrain Grand Prix, the fourth race of the season, it highlights the dynamics within the Ferrari team. Alonso is undoubtedly the number one driver, there's no debate about that. But if he has to rely continuously on team orders to remain number one, things become complicated. In any case, both Ferraris are ahead of everyone, but as mentioned, Felipe Massa with a time of 1'34"487 is ahead of Alonso, who doesn't go beyond 1'34.564. We'll see how the second practice session goes in the afternoon, but if Massa repeats his performance, Alonso might start to feel the pressure. Nico Rosberg from Mercedes secured the third-fastest time, followed by Sebastian Vettel from Red Bull and Paul di Resta from Force India. Jenson Button is sixth with McLaren, ahead of the other Red Bull driven by Mark Webber. The top ten is completed by Adrian Sutil from Force India and the two Lotus drivers, Kimi Raikkonen from Finland and Romain Grosjean from France. At the end of the second practice session, Kimi Raikkonen set the fastest time. The Lotus driver completed a lap in 1'34"154, ahead of the Red Bulls of Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel, who leads the World Championship. Fernando Alonso from Ferrari secured the fourth time, followed by Paul di Resta from Force India and Felipe Massa from Ferrari. Romain Grosjean from Lotus was seventh, leaving behind Nico Rosberg from Mercedes, Adrian Sutil from Force India, and Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes. In the meantime, the protests outside the racetrack oppose the excitement on the track.
In this climate of evident contradiction, where the roar of the engines fails to drown the anger of Bahrain's regime opponents, one of the hottest weekends of the season has begun. At Sakhir, an autodrome 30 kilometers from the capital, only the tarmac is scorching, with temperatures putting tires at risk. This heat showcases Raikkonen's skill in preserving them, shows that in this situation, even Alonso and Massa's Ferraris can fight for the pole and race victory. Vettel notes that the tires will play a key role, and those who adapt best, in addition to being the fastest in a single lap, can easily win the race. The competition on the track is fierce, but the great balance, with six drivers within 0.4 seconds after the second practice session, from Raikkonen to Massa, passing through Webber, Vettel, Alonso, and the outsider Di Resta with Force India, only brings joy and excitement to the fans. However, the situation off the track, in the Shiite neighborhoods, where the population of the villages demands reforms and more rights from the Sunni rulers, is a different story. The protests remain peaceful, with more than 10.000 participants (including women and children) marching along the highway. There are some minor excesses, such as burning tires in the Duraz suburb, and the police responding with tear gas. But for now, they chant: Don't run on our blood. Fortunately, this slogan remains a mere phrase for catchy effect. Incidents and peaceful protests are known to exist, but they still remain distant from Formula 1, both physically and in the thoughts of the participants. According to local organizers, everything is proceeding well. Gate security checks are thorough but discreet, and the police do not give the impression of being in a state of siege.
This line is reinforced by the FIA and FOM, the company chaired by Ecclestone, who in a joint statement argue that the Grand Prix must go on, that Bahrain does not deserve to be deprived of such an important event, that security will be absolute, and if anything, sports can contribute to fostering dialogue and resolving any issues.
Nothing can stop this colossal machine, even though Human Rights Watch continues to report raids and preventive arrests of opponents by the police. And if someone persists in objecting, Ecclestone responds indignantly:
"Those who talk about human rights should go to Syria, not Bahrain. There don't seem to be any problems here. In Egypt, they got rid of the dictatorship, established democracy, and since then, they have been worse off than before".
However, it's worth noting that three foreign journalists were expelled yesterday for violating the laws.
"They were our operators with valid visas".
The British ITV News reports that they are guilty of conducting journalistic coverage without the necessary license from the relevant authorities. The atmosphere is tense, but the drivers remain completely unaware. For Alonso, what matters is that the Ferrari has a good race pace, which indeed seems to be the case, making Ferrari one of the favorites. It's unclear if the new wing and bottom modifications have worked (Massa doesn't seem enthusiastic), but with the hard tires, the speed is excellent, and with the medium tires, they can compete with Raikkonen (Lotus) and the Red Bulls of Vettel and Webber. Surprisingly, Mercedes seems to be struggling, as does McLaren, although this is not new. On Saturday, April 20, 2013, at the end of the third and final practice session, Fernando Alonso secured the fastest time. The Spanish driver set the best time using medium tires, while Sebastian Vettel, who used hard tires, finished in second place. When Vettel attempted to set a time using medium tires, he was hindered by encountering a slower car during his fast lap. The top seventeen drivers are within 1.5 seconds of each other. At the end of the session, Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes experienced a rear left suspension breakage. As a result of this breakdown, the transmission was replaced, and Lewis Hamilton will be penalized with a five-place grid penalty. A few hours later, Nico Rosberg surprisingly secured the pole position, starting at the front of the grid for the Bahrain Grand Prix. In the third and final round of qualifying, the German from Mercedes, securing his second career pole, recorded a time of 1'32.330, earning him a spot on the front row alongside compatriot Sebastian Vettel from Red Bull. Fernando Alonso secured the third time, placing him on the second row alongside Felipe Massa. Massa set the sixth overall time, behind Lewis Hamilton and Mark Webber. However, Hamilton from Mercedes will drop five positions due to the transmission replacement, while Webber from Red Bull will be demoted three places for the incident with Vergne in Shanghai. The top ten also includes the two Force India drivers, Paul di Resta and Adrian Sutil. Kimi Raikkonen secures the ninth-fastest time, followed by Jenson Button from McLaren. Romain Grosjean (Lotus) missed out on the battle for pole position by just 0.06 seconds, as did Sergio Perez (McLaren), Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso), Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber), Valtteri Bottas (Williams), and Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso). In Q1, Pastor Maldonado (Williams) and Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber) were eliminated. Gutierrez will be demoted five positions after colliding with Sutil in China. Also eliminated were Charles Pic and Giedo Van der Garde from Caterham, as well as Jules Bianchi and Max Chilton from Marussia.
At the end of qualifying, Fernando Alonso was attempting to set another fast lap but decided to return to the pits.
"I'm very pleased with third place. We usually struggle in qualifying, but this time, we'll start from a good position, and we'll fight for the podium with some margin. My second lap was very similar to the previous one, except for the last corner where I was half a tenth slower. I decided to return to save the tires".
Nico Rosberg confesses:
"I'm a bit surprised myself. It wasn't clear which car was the fastest yesterday, but this morning, we were closer to the top. As a team, we did a great job overnight, and it showed. We struggled a lot yesterday, but today was excellent. It's a fantastic result, which puts us in a great position for tomorrow, although it will be a tough race with significant tire degradation, especially on the rear tires. For me, today marks a new start to the season. The first three qualifying sessions didn't go well, but today went very well. The competition will be very strong. It's hard to say whether we have enough pace to win the race, but we'll give it a try".
Sebastian Vettel explains:
"I'm very happy to start from the front row. Nico did a perfect lap. When I crossed the finish line, I realized that even with a perfect lap, I wouldn't have been able to beat Rosberg. Nonetheless, I'm happy. I managed to save some tires during the qualifiers, and tomorrow it will all be about tire degradation".
Third on Saturday, just like in China, where he triumphed on Sunday, Fernando Alonso has the same confident look he had in Shanghai.
"We can fight for the podium. And maybe even more".
So, the phrase brought luck to Alonso. It's logical that he repeats it here, in scorching Bahrain, where the track cooks the tires, and only a few daring ones (like McLaren and perhaps the disappointing Lotus from yesterday) might contemplate a two-stop strategy, which is impossible for Vettel (second in qualifying behind Rosberg). Bahrain, where tactics are paramount, with Ferrari seemingly inclined towards a three-stop strategy, while Red Bull might even opt for four. Alonso seems smug and highly confident. It seems he couldn't care less about the surprise speed of Rosberg with the Mercedes, who cursed his car on Friday but now says the team did an excellent job:
"They improved my car a lot, solving almost all the issues".
There's a hint of mystery, perhaps in terms of excessive aerodynamics and the ever-increasing importance of tires. Some claim that an increase in wind and a drop in temperature greatly helped Mercedes and hurt Lotus. This analysis by Rosberg has an almost-qualifier that hints at a lot. For the single lap, the car is a joy to drive, and they've all noticed it, with Alonso claiming it's impossible to do better, and Vettel calling Rosberg unbeatable. Then there's the race, 57 challenging laps, where problems begin, with Mercedes shredding their tires. The pole-sitter tries to make light of it, saying he'll have to drive like a taxi driver, but that pace can get you to the finish line, not necessarily win. Vettel and Alonso have different mindsets. The Red Bull driver surprised many by using only the softest compound Pirelli tires, which provide that extra tenth but with shorter durability, typically starting with harder tires in the first round. But now he has three untouched sets of softs, which might indicate a four-stop race, although he doesn't discuss it. However, he's not disappointed at all with second place in qualifying, as if he has something in mind. Alonso also has his ace - two sets of hard tires and one medium set never used - ideal for a three-stop race. It will be the race pace that decides, and in that regard, Alonso certifies that Ferrari feels the strongest. He even pushes Massa:
"He can do well. The goal is to get two cars on the podium".
But let's not forget Felipe Massa, the only one to end the qualifying with the slowest hard tires, as he was betting on Webber's known penalty, dropping from fifth to seventh for the Vergne incident in China, and Hamilton's penalty, going from fourth to ninth for changing his gearbox. If he remains fourth at the first corner, Massa could be the big surprise, more so than Raikkonen, who continues to be a threat in races but starts in eighth place. Meanwhile, on Saturday night, the smell of barbecue, coming from a big party in honor of all foreign guests, mingles with the scent of gasoline in the paddock. The noise is only from the engines or the helicopters patrolling the circuit, while outside, due to thorough checks of cars, bags, and people, there are extremely long queues to get in. The atmosphere is in contrast to what happens kilometers away, in Shiite villages where fighting and protests persist. Burnt tires, tear gas to disperse demonstrators; the sound is of stones or Molotov cocktails thrown at the police. Two were injured in clashes between Friday night and Saturday in Isa Al-Kabeer. On Saturday, a battle unfolded in four villages, where residents tried to march to Pearl Square in the center of the capital, Manama, a symbol of the uprising that began on February 14, 2011. The police prevailed, resulting in eight people injured and an unspecified number of arrests. The Bahrain Grand Prix costs Bahrain $40.000.000 a year. Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa says:
"We never used the race to say everything is fine; we know there are problems, but they must be solved through politics, not sports".
On Sunday, April 21, 2013, at the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix, Nico Rosberg maintains the lead, followed by Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel, Paul di Resta, and Felipe Massa. Vettel manages to pass Alonso during the first lap and Rosberg during the third lap, taking the lead in the race. Alonso engages in a lengthy duel with Rosberg, eventually passing him during the fifth lap. During the sixth lap, the German driver of the Mercedes is also passed by Paul di Resta. Fernando Alonso is forced to pit on the seventh lap to fix the DRS (Drag Reduction System), which remained open on his car. He reenters the track in 17th place but experiences issues with the DRS once again on the eighth lap, necessitating another pit stop. Between the 10th and 11th laps, the top-ten drivers pit for tire changes. Paul di Resta takes the lead, followed by Kimi Räikkönen and Nico Hülkenberg. Sebastian Vettel regains the lead definitively during the 15th lap after passing Kimi Räikkönen. Mark Webber is third, followed by Nico Rosberg, Jenson Button, Felipe Massa, Romain Grosjean, Sergio Pérez, and Paul di Resta. Räikkönen pits during the 16th lap, while Massa is forced to make an extra tire change during the 17th lap due to a tire issue on the right rear. During the 19th lap, both Button and Grosjean pass Rosberg, who decides to pit for a second time during the 20th lap. Button and Grosjean engage in a spirited duel, with Button pitting on the 21st lap. During the 25th lap, it's Vettel who pits but manages to maintain the lead, followed by Grosjean, di Resta, Räikkönen, Webber, Pérez, and Button. Di Resta takes the second position during the 26th lap after passing Grosjean, who pits during the 27th lap.
Between the 23rd and 24th laps, following a heated battle, the two McLaren drivers pass Nico Rosberg. Between the 29th and 32nd laps, Jenson Button and Sergio Pérez fight for the fifth position, with the Englishman passing the Mexican and resisting his attacks. However, Button wears out his tires and has to make an earlier third pit stop, as does Rosberg. During the 34th lap, Räikkönen takes the second position, passing di Resta, who then pits again during the 36th lap. In the meantime, Fernando Alonso manages to re-enter the top ten. During the 37th lap, Mark Webber makes his third pit stop. Then, during the 42nd lap, Sebastian Vettel and Romain Grosjean also pit. The standings still have the German from Red Bull in the lead, followed by Kimi Räikkönen, Paul di Resta, Mark Webber, and Romain Grosjean. A lap later, Grosjean cedes a position to Mark Webber. During the 44th lap, Hamilton passes Button and secures the sixth position. Button subsequently gives up his position to Pérez and Alonso. The Spanish driver manages, even without DRS, to pass Pérez on the main straight at the beginning of the 47th lap. The final laps are animated by the battle between Hamilton and Webber: the Englishman passes once during the 51st lap but is repassed by the Australian a couple of laps later. However, he finally secures the position at the beginning of the last lap after repeated attacks. The Red Bull driver also gives up his position to Sergio Pérez, who had passed Fernando Alonso during the 54th lap. During the 52nd lap, Grosjean passes Paul di Resta and takes the third position.
Sebastian Vettel wins the Bahrain Grand Prix, followed by Kimi Räikkönen and Romain Grosjean. Paul di Resta is fourth, followed by Lewis Hamilton, Sergio Perez, Mark Webber, Fernando Alonso, Nico Rosberg, and Jenson Button. Sebastian Vettel returns as the Martian, leading from start to finish. The team asks him to take it easy, as pushing too hard is unnecessary, but he responds by setting a record lap time. The more his historical enemies try to psychologically break him down, like Webber, who accepted Alonso's dinner invitation, the Spanish driver who posted a photo on Twitter, the more he excels on the track. They attempt to demolish him psychologically, the historical rivals. Webber accepts Alonso's dinner invitation, the Spanish driver shares a photo of the meal on Twitter, and Vettel remains unfazed. He shrugs it off and seeks his revenge on the track, dominating thoroughly and setting a crazy pace. Sebastian Vettel is the king of Bahrain. He triumphs, as he did last year. The difference in this podium is significant, though. Last year, Vettel's win was his first victory, a resurrection after a challenging start to the World Championship. This time it's his second win in four races, a new resurrection, perhaps, because in China, many already counted him out. However, his victory primarily projects him into a lead, with 77 out of 100 possible points, a 10-point advantage over Raikkonen and a 30-point lead over Alonso. All with ridiculous ease, which he doesn't hide. Sebastian Vettel steps down from the podium, wearing his insipid smile, and concludes:
"I didn't expect to be this fast; I didn't think I could be much faster than everyone else. It was crucial to take the lead right from the start, with the track clear, I had no issues. I felt really comfortable with the tires, which have been a real struggle for other drivers. It's a sign that our team has worked really well on tires and their exploitation. Towards the end, on the radio, they were telling me to slow down, but I knew I could push much harder. It doesn't surprise me to have set the fastest lap just two laps from the end. I finished with a significant gap, but if I wanted, it could have been even more significant".
These words have the potential to crush the competition, and perhaps they're not used by chance. Rivals provoke him, and he responds with the same tools, the psychology of someone who feels stronger and wants to shatter the hopes of those chasing him. All of this with the blessing of the Red Bull Racing team, which doesn't hesitate to call it a fantastic performance. On the podium, perhaps to ease the atmosphere after weeks of tension between the two drivers, the team sends Gill Jones, a woman, the electronics manager. A touch of femininity next to the fierce cannibal, one who underestimates no one:
"Raikkonen is becoming formidable, and we should never forget Ferrari".
But for now, he's enjoying it. A fourth World Championship title is already more than a dream. A truly crazy performance, even though his true adversary, Fernando Alonso, was slowed down by a dreaded technical issue: the mobile front wing broke. A massive problem that forced him into an early pit stop, with mechanics struggling to close the DRS and another stop to deal with the stubborn mobile wing that remained open. At that point, Alonso no longer used the DRS button and entered a challenging race without the aid of the overtaking system. Certainly, it's unusual to see mechanics punching a wing on a highly technological F1 car, but it humanizes the top motorsport category, with a driver (Alonso) who does his part to compensate for the difficulties of overtaking and the effects of slipstream. Mysteries of F1: last year, at the start of the season, Ferrari had a non-competitive car, but Alonso still scored points as if nothing was wrong. This year, he has a rocket-like car, and the results aren't coming. The standings speak clearly: Alonso has only 47 points, compared to Vettel's 77, Raikkonen's 67, and Hamilton's 50. Of course, the good news this year is that Massa is more or less close, with 30 points, but it's not enough, and it understandably frustrates the Maranello team. Stefano Domenicali, Ferrari's team principal, is trying to rise above this situation, urging the team:
"Keep your heads up and no tears; the World Championship is still long".
In F1, it's not time to be pessimistic, even though, in terms of points, the situation this year is worse than in 2012. Domenicali has a point; in F1, what matters most is winning the next races. So, it doesn't matter if Alonso's abacus indicates a win in Shanghai and a second-place finish at the season opener in Australia, a retirement in Malaysia, and an eighth place in Bahrain.
"It's a shame, but right now, it's better to hold our heads high and not cry too much. The essential things aren't positive. We have fewer points than we should have. We could have been on the podium every time and added another victory".
Alright, but since we all agree that the World Championship is still long, what will the next steps be? Domenicali doesn't reveal secrets, but he explains:
"We must stay focused. We've only completed four races, and there's plenty of time. Let's not forget that last summer we had a 50-point advantage, so now it's easier".
As for Vettel's performance in Bahrain, Ferrari's team principal is not overly impressed.
"Sebastian had a great race, but he was alone, and he could control the pace. We know that in that situation, you can manage the tires better because we've experienced that as well in the past. Fernando would have had a great race, so we have to make sure these situations don't repeat in the future".
The translation of this last statement? More or less this:
"The F138 is faster than the Red Bull; we'll pass them in the next race".
It's that positive rage that, as Enzo Ferrari used to say, makes teams fly. Will it work? The answer will come in Spain.
"Getting so few points really bothers me, especially considering our potential. We aimed for two cars on the podium, so coming home with just four points is almost a disgrace. However, when misfortune strikes, there's nothing you can do. It's also pointless to curse it. It's better to turn the page immediately and think about Barcelona and the significant aerodynamic development we'll bring. We shouldn't dwell on it because this Ferrari has proven it can beat Vettel. To be honest, if I think about our merits, I'd say we should have at least one more win, not just Alonso's in China, and consistent podiums in all the races".
These encouraging messages, with Alonso, become commitment slogans. He often reflects on the data, and they indicate that after four races, the Spaniard has four more points than he did in 2012. The problem is that Vettel has increased his points haul by 24, so now his lead isn't just 10 points, as it was a year ago, but 30 points. Fernando, is it worse to be better off?
"I wouldn't change places with my 2012 self, absolutely not. Back then, that small gap was just a matter of chance; we had a weaker car than Red Bull, especially in qualifying. I'll keep the 30-point gap and the current Ferrari, and I'm convinced we'll mount a comeback".
However, the fact remains that Alonso, after an exciting start, has disappeared from contention. The seventh lap was fateful. He had to stay on track:
"But the rear end kept slipping as if I had run out of tires".
It wasn't the tires' fault but the DRS system jammed in the open position. Later, he laughed, saying:
"Nobody could overtake me on the straight".
But in the corners, it was agony. Orders from the pit: return immediately. It was forced shut, and on the eighth lap, Alonso tried to open it again. But it jammed once more, and he had to head back to the garage. There was nothing to be done; the DRS wasn't working.
"From that moment, I could only limit the damage".
It was a torment. Alonso made a comeback, but he couldn't defend against Perez at the end. A Mexican driver who makes him very angry. He shouted at the pit wall:
"He's trying to force me off the track".
Then, with the press, he brushed it off:
"I won't talk about him".
But with that silence, it was as if he had once again condemned him. Farewell to dreams.
"With the pace I had, I could have been where Raikkonen and Grosjean were".
And it was even worse for Massa.
"Two punctures, that's never happened. In both cases, the tire was cut, perhaps it's because of debris. Pirelli will have to tell us".
Perhaps he'll tell them that maybe the Brazilian needs a blessing, as the signs point to punctured tires.
"With four pit stops, it's impossible to score points. I still don't know what happened. On both occasions, the feeling was the same, the tire was destroyed. I genuinely have no idea, but twice in one race is just too much. Was it due to contact and debris? If someone touched me, I didn't see or feel it, but I'm not sure. Something like this has never happened, we need to understand what occurred".
Misfortune? Yes, but it's not just the Ferrari that found itself with Massa falling victim to two punctures. Paul Hembery, Pirelli Motorsport Director, commented on Massa's double puncture during the Bahrain Grand Prix:
"It was truly unlucky. In the first puncture, he cut right through the first belt, which is a very robust part of the tire. I didn't see the second one, but they told me over the radio that there was another cut on the sidewall, so, in this case, it was really unlucky".
But let's get back to the podium: two Lotuses on top of the world demonstrate the competitiveness of the British team, which, with a good race strategy and perfect tire management (not to mention Raikkonen's class), kept the other Red Bull, McLarens, and Mercedes at bay. Not bad at all. The duel between Perez and Button was beautiful - and crazy - as they exchanged blows throughout the race. An endless duel that reoccurred multiple times during the race, illustrating how difficult it is to coexist for two strong drivers within the same team. Furthermore, in the world of Formula 1, the public continues to be kept in the dark about what happens just meters away from the drivers' feats. This occurred as six anti-government protesters were arrested by the Bahrain police just before the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Activists in the country alleged that the arrests took place during a police operation in the village of Sitra, west of the capital Manama. Witnesses reported clashes in Manama between hundreds of students and the police, who used tear gas to disperse the protesters gathered near the US embassy. Not only that, but another demonstration took place in the village of Jid Ali, south of the capital, where groups of protesters blocked a major road using two large trucks. In Barcelona, Fernando Alonso has never won with Ferrari. The Spanish idol has never been a prophet in his homeland, and this bothers him a lot. It's not a coincidence if, in his mind, along with the plans for a comeback against a runaway Vettel, there is this long-awaited first victory in Catalonia. It's like a fixation, as demonstrated by the hours immediately following the great disappointment in Bahrain. The wound from the broken DRS is still gaping.
"Not having it is like losing half a second per lap".
But Alonso is already talking about the next challenge, battles where he likes to disguise himself as a samurai.
"In Barcelona, it's essential to start from the front. If you don't qualify in the top two rows, you can't hope for a win because it's a track where overtaking is very difficult. We are finally competitive in qualifying, and with Spain on the horizon, it makes me dream. We can achieve that victory that has always been missing".
The hoped-for success is part of the optimistic path chosen by the Spaniard and Ferrari after the disaster in Bahrain. Points are scarce in the first four races, but the car is competitive.
"The best I've ever driven".
The certainty of being able to beat Vettel exists; now it must be accompanied by the kind of infallibility that often animated Ferrari during its desperate pursuits. A massive development plan is already in place for Spain, including wings, changes to the floor, side pods, everything related to aerodynamics, to be presented in Barcelona. However, reliability (down to the smallest details, like the individual component that caused the DRS malfunction) and the elimination of human errors are also needed, such as Alonso's mistake at the start in Sepang. Ferrari believes, but there's no room for further failures. All this while Red Bull strengthens the theory of having separate drivers at home. Vettel was absent from the video for Webber's 200 Grand Prix? The Australian was missing from the group photo after the German's triumph. In comparison, Pirelli's upcoming assault, meeting with the teams to discuss tires (minor changes have been announced, not revolutions), seems like a minor issue. In the meantime, Ferrari reveals the secret: Alonso's DRS broke due to a mechanical problem, not an electronic one. In other words, the moveable wing broke because of a mechanical component within the system. In the world of microchips, this is a news item in its own right. A news item that takes Formula 1 back to the golden age when mechanics, bolts, and pistons were worth more than software. On the other hand, we've already had a taste of it in a race (with the mechanics pounding Alonso's wing), even though scenographically, the heavyset mechanic who threw himself onto Schumacher's DRS last year was on a different level. Jokes aside, the breakage of the moveable wing is extremely dangerous.
Especially if the malfunction leaves it open: the car has no chance of going through a corner without flying off. According to Ferrari, this is the first problem encountered with this device in the three years it has been used.
"While the failure is not a reason for long-term concern, our focus on the reliability front must always remain at the highest level".
Says Stefano Domenicali, the head of Ferrari's racing team, upon his return to Maranello.
"It's hard to remember a race with so many negative incidents that proved decisive for the final result. The DRS failure prevented Fernando, who delivered yet another outstanding performance, from fighting for victory against Vettel. Similarly, the double issue with the rear right tire pushed Felipe out of the points and prevented him from securing a top-five finish that was within his reach. We had the potential for these results, but we couldn't exploit it, partly due to our own responsibility and partly due to external factors".
Responsibility is therefore linked to reliability, whether it's the smallest or the largest component, to ensure the level of perfection that should be the standard for Ferrari.
"We need to work with renewed attention on this front, as well as on the development of the car and understanding the behavior of the tires, which is more critical this year than ever. In these first four races of the season, for various reasons, we haven't been able to secure all the points that were within our reach. Hence, the gap in both championships seems quite substantial, but this should not discourage us; on the contrary. We've seen many times, both to our detriment and advantage, how things can change quickly. We believe in our potential to compete for the world titles until the very end, and we've believed it from the start, which hasn't been the case for a long time. At the same time, we must be aware that to achieve our goals, we need to be perfect in every aspect".