Adam Cooper F1

Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa met the media in the paddock this afternoon, accompanied by Bernie Ecclestone.

Not surprisingly he presented a strong case for the Bahrain GP to go ahead as a unifying force for the country.

“I would first like to start by saying that I hope by coming here you understand that unlike what was been reported we are not trying to say we are perfect,” he said. “We are a real country with real issues, and we hope that you get a chance to see us for all our complexities and all our shades.

“I genuinely believe that this race is a force for good, it unites many different people from different religious backgrounds, sects and ethnicities, under the roof of F1, and all of them are excited that you are here, and I hope that you get the chance to interview some of these fans and see what they really think.”

The Crown Prince was dismissive of suggestions by UK politicians that the race should not happen.

“I think this race should continue because it is indeed a very big event for this country, it is importantly economically and socially. Political parties across the whole spectrum, both conservative and opposition, have welcomed the race.

“As I understand it was a few politicians who made those comments and it doesn’t certainly represent the entire British political spectrum.”

Regarding the Force India petrol bomb incident, he said: “I can absolutely guarantee that any problems that may or may not happen are not directed at F1. It goes to show that there are people out there who are out to cause chaos. You had these problems last year in your country [the UK].

“There’s a big difference between protesting for political rights, and rioting. The attack that happened around Force India was aimed at the police, it was unprovoked, and it was quite dangerous. But at no time was anyone from F1 in danger.”

The Crown Prince was asked about the message that a cancellation might send out.

“I think cancelling the race just empowers extremists. For those of us who are trying to navigate a way out of this political problem having the race allows us to build bridges across communities, get people working together.

“It allows us to celebrate our nation as an idea that is positive, not one that is divisive. I actually think that having the race has prevented extremists from doing what they think they need to do out of the world’s attention.

Regarding the possibility of an extremist getting into the track he said: “I guarantee that any protests are not against F1.”

He insisted that he would not come to regret the decision to push ahead.

“No. I am very confident that protests, which will happen at some point – there is a demonstration today – are part of the political protests are part of the political process in any country. So why should we be any different? Why should our openness, relative to our neighbours, be used against us? I think it’s part of the political fabric of this country. And the race is the race. We are here to celebrate that, and frankly I’m here to go racing.”

Force India is fitting its race engines and gearboxes four hours early

The Force India team is set to skip FP2 in Bahrain so that the crew can head home from the circuit early – possibly even before darkness falls at 1800.

In effect if they start preparations for FP3 now they gain four hours.

On Wednesday night four team members were involved in an incident that saw a firebomb land near their vehicle. Two team members have subsequently returned home.

In order to alleviate the fears of the others, the team has taken the decision – clearly with the support of the drivers – to sacrifice the session. Nico Hulkenberg and Paul Di Resta both ran the option tyre in the morning session in order to give the team some information.

Bernie Ecclestone visited Force India’s hospitality building today and met with deputy team principal Bob Fernley.

Although he stopped short of confirming that the cars would not run at all, hinting that the team may yet do a few laps, Fernley said there had been a “rescheduling,” adding that the team was committed to running in the race on Sunday.

“We’re looking at it from the point of view of the well being and comfort of everybody,” he said.

Most F1 drivers continue to avoid making any comments on the situation in Bahrain, despite reality hitting home in the paddock after members of the Force India team were caught up in an incident last night.

Having talked to the people directly involved Force India drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Paul Di  Resta expressed some reservations, but the big names continue to follow a politically correct path and avoid any controversy.

While for obvious reasons no one expects them to get involved in a political or human rights debate, most declined to offer even a simple comment on the safety of their own team members being of concern.

“I think generally being in the paddock surely there is no problem,” said Sebastian Vettel. “Being outside of the paddock, maybe there is a risk, but there’s a risk everywhere we go. If you imagine when we go to Brazil, it’s not the place you want to be, as well, depending on the area you are. It’s not a big problem and I’m happy once we start testing tomorrow then we worry about the stuff that really matters – tyre temperatures, cars…”

To make it clear Vettel did offer a grin and was trying to lighten the mood with the latter remark.

Asked if he would go home if a petrol bomb landed near his car, Vettel said: “I don’t know, it never happened to me, I hope it doesn’t happen to me in the future.

“I haven’t seen anyone throwing bombs. I don’t know, I don’t think it’s that bad. A lot of hype, that’s why I think it’s good we start our job here, which is the sport, and nothing else.”

He was also asked about those who oppose the race: “I haven’t met them, maybe it’s because I only arrived this morning, but I haven’t seen much of what people are talking about.”

Meanwhile Jenson Button said: “I’m not going to get into the details of it. You’re here interviewing me as a driver. Exactly what I’m going to talk about is motor racing. That’s the important thing at the moment. The outside issues, I’m not going to talk about, because it’s not what I’m here to do.”

Asked by this blog about talking to him as a human being, he said: “No but you’re not are you? You’re sat here with a tape recorder in front of me. If I wasn’t racing in F1, would you have that in front of me? You might have but I wouldn’t be able to answer any questions…”

Pressed on the fact that his mechanics were here to work for the drivers and were potentially at risk, he said: “That’s wrong in itself, we’re here to work together as a team, they’re not here just to work for us.”

Meanwhile asked about the Force India incident, Fernando Alonso admitted that he didn’t know any details, but said the sport takes its lead from the FIA.

“I don’t have all the information now to have the right answer for sure,” said Alonso. “There is nothing new to say from me, to be honest. We are here because the decision made by people who had all the information in their hands, the FIA etc, so we are following their instructions. If we are here it’s because everyone thinks we safe to be here, so no problem. But obviously we need all the information about this incident, etc.”

Michael Schumacher refused point blank to make any comment: “If you don’t mind I don’t really want to get involved. I’d just like to say I don’t want to mix the sport with political things. I’m here for the sport.”

Bahraini politician Dr Jasim Husain, a senior opposition figure and former MP for Al-Wefaq, had an informal chat with visiting F1 journalists this morning.

Escorted into the Sakhir media centre by FOM and FIA representatives, he gave a positive view on the presence of the Grand Prix this weekend, and played down the connection between ongoing protests and the race.

His visit came as the paddock absorbed the news that Force India mechanics were caught up in a road block and firebombing incident on the way home from the track last night, fortunately without any consequences, although one team member asked to return to Europe.

“Most people in Bahrain are happy that F1 is back in Bahrain,” said Dr Husain, “given its effects on the economy and social aspects, and see this as a sporting and economic event, rather as a political issue.”

Asked whether the race will be good for the country, he said: “I think so, Bahrain is going to benefit. We are going to be on the international news for three days, and focussing on the positive implications. So it is something very useful. It’s going to be changing the mood from some hot political issues to some sporting stuff, and definitely most people are happy with sports.

“Protests are definitely going to take place, we’ve been having protests before the event, and we’re going to have them during and afterwards, but there’s no connection.”

When it as suggested that some protests were focussed on F1, he said: “It is easy to say that, but if F1 was not here, they would still be going on, so this is not the reason. For them it’s an opportunity to raise awareness, but this is not the reason we’re having the protests.”

“We’ve always had some people who are not happy with F1, even in normal times, some people for religious reasons were not happy with it. You can in no way have all groups happy. But I can tell you most people are pleased and happy.”

Asked if he was personally concerned by security issues, he said: “Security is never really a big issue in Bahrain. I’m certainly not concerned. The protests are very much peaceful. People are having political issues which have to be addressed one way or the other, even after you guys leave we have some challenges.

“Bahrain stands out as peaceful, we are a tolerant society, we are a society where foreign nationals make up the majority of the population, they make up 52% of the population and 62% of the labour force with no hate crimes. People here are very tolerant and accepting of foreign nationals.”

Last weekend in Shanghai an ex-F1 driver I respect a great deal told me to ‘be careful’ and ‘back off’ on my Bahrain tweeting.

Although like many F1 VIPs he is on good terms with the Bahraini royal family, there was nothing sinister in his message – he was trying to do me a favour, and I guess protect me from any potential backlash from whoever might be monitoring what the media has been saying about the Bahrain GP. And perhaps more importantly about the decision makers who have ensured that the race is going ahead.

Although I’ve voiced the odd opinion on Twitter in recent weeks, I have for the most part been the messenger, referring people to news stories or video clips they might not have seen yet.

That process seems to have accelerated today as inevitably the story has switched into another gear. It’s due in no small part to the hard work of some of my British F1 media colleagues, who have spared no effort to get to the heart of what is going on in Bahrain.

If the authorities here thought that the FIA accredited journalists they are hosting this week were going to write solely about the race, they were mistaken. We are only on Wednesday, and already a lot of negative headlines are emerging from the country, and the opposition has had a chance to get its message across.

The guys have not only witnessed street activity for themselves, they have talked to people at the very heart of the story, on both sides.

So a big shout out in particular to Alan Baldwin (Reuters), Tom Cary (Daily Telegraph), Kevin Eason (The Times), Ian Parkes (Press Association) and Byron Young (Daily Mirror) for their efforts this week. Most if not all have had to  deal with critics who say they should stick to their day jobs, but the story of what’s been happening in Bahrain is so intertwined with the F1 race, it is impossible to ignore.

Some might contest the comparison, but there are echoes of Munich 1972 in that reporters who came to cover a sporting event have found themselves writing about something far from their usual experience, and done it with skill and fine judgement.

Let’s hope that the quality of the journalism is the only comparison we have to make this week.

Last year a fifth place for Sebastian Vettel would have been seen as a total disaster, but it’s a sign of the times that he was relieved to come away from the Chinese GP with that result.

From his lowly grid position of 11th Vettel tumbled further down the order after a bad start. With a two-stop strategy he hauled himself into second place in the closing laps, only for his tyres to fade away and allow three of his closest title rivals to jump ahead.

The consensus in the Red Bull camp was that a fourth and fifth for Mark Webber and Vettel was a respectable result on a weekend that was almost treated like a test as the two drivers ran different exhaust specs. That experiment has at least generated some good information.

“We have to take the lessons on board and make the right changes and go in the right direction for next week,” said Vettel. “But generally I think race pace was OK compared to qualifying, where we weren’t that strong. But nevertheless we are losing out on the straights compared to other people, which doesn’t help, particularly in qualifying when it’s close and in the race when you want to pass. All in all I think we can be pretty happy given the first lap, when I think I was only P15.”

Seb admitted that he’d simply messed up his launch of the grid, and had then lost out further in the first corner scramble.

“I think I missed out a little bit on the start, I was a bit too late, I wasn’t entirely happy finding the revs and was a bit confused. I lost the initial bit when the lights went off, usually I’m pretty quick, but I was one of the last ones. I didn’t wake up early enough.

“Then I lost two positions to the Williams, then in Turn One they crashed into each other a little bit. I hit the brakes, I didn’t know what was going to happen, and then I lost a couple of positions. I nearly lost a position to a Caterham, which was a pretty bad stage after the first lap!

“It was pretty difficult to imagine where you are going be in the last stint given the race we had. I think it was a good recovery, but obviously I was a long time on those tyres at the end.

“Too long, so those last five laps were really difficult. It was obvious that I would struggle to stay in second and keep position, so I had to give way to Jenson and Lewis and Mark at the end. Nevertheless we can be happy with fifth, we were only P15 on the first lap.

“I don’t think there was much overtaking. The best one I had was against Kimi, but I had to force it. I was hoping that he would just sneak back into the chain right behind me and hold up other people, but unfortunately he lost position to the others as well, and then it was easy for the McLarens who had eight or 10 laps fresher tyres to get past.”

Vettel said he was powerless to defend his position from Button, Hamilton and Webber.

“I had no more tyres left. Of course, sitting in the car you try to get them back to life, get a little bit more out of them, but they were pretty dead. I had to react with brake balance, diff, everything I had. There was nothing I could have done. It’s a shame, the podium was yet to close, yet so far. Nevertheless as I said good points, and a good recovery from 15^th.”

Summing up his weekend, he said: “Qualifying was poor, we know that we have a couple of weaknesses, one is speed on the straights, the other one is that the car is probably not yet working the way we want it to be. Nevertheless it was an interesting weekend, we collected a lot of data on different cars, we ended up more or less in the same place, which is quite funny.”

Christian Horner says that Red Bull learned a lot in China by fielding its cars with two different exhaust configurations.

Sebastian Vettel ran the older spec, with which he felt more comfortable, while Mark Webber had the newer version.

The latter obviously proved more effective in qualifying, then in the race matters were confused by Vettel making a bad start and running two stops while Webber was on three. In the end the Aussie snuck ahead as his team mate’s tyres went past their best.

“There were some characteristics about the upgraded car which weren’t particularly suited to Seb’s style of driving, which is to carry a lot of speed into the corner,” said Horner after the race. “The decision to come here [with two specs] was very much Adrian and a technical decision, because we want to make sure we get a direction and a clear comparison.

“We’ve had that, it’s been a really useful exercise this weekend. The drivers were happy to go the routes that they did. Now we’ve got an awful lot of information from three days of running to settle on a direction moving forward.

“Ideally you want the characteristics from both solutions, so that’s now the challenge.”

Horner said that there was no firm verdict yet on what specs it would field in Bahrain next weekend.

“We’ll make a decision over the next couple of days. With a race worth of data to go through there’s a good sample there in low fuel/high fuel configurations.”

Asked by this writer how things could turn around at the front of the field in the hotter temperatures of Bahrain, Horner said it was impossible to predict.

“Today the temperatures had another effect. And yes, we’ve probably got another 20 degrees of track temperature to deal with next weekend. That’s the great challenge at the moment. It’s going to be a fascinating championship this one, I think it’s going to ebb and flow through the year.

“The grid has concertinaed. If you look at all the different configurations of car that were in the top 10 yesterday, there was no way that they were within 3% of downforce configuration,  yet they were within 3% of lap time. The biggest common dominator within all of that is getting the tyres to work.”

Mark Webber was clearly relieved in China after he recovered from a bad qualifying session and a poor start to salvage fourth place.

He passed RBR team mate Sebastian Vettel right at the end as he made good progress through the leading pack.

It was the Australian’s third fourth place in a row this season, and ensured that he also stayed ahead of Vettel in the World Championship.

“When you run that sort of strategy, which worked well in the end, you also pay the risk with traffic,” said Webber. “How is it going to work for you, where do you get the traffic, do you get the marbles, where do you get off line? It’s tricky. In the end to gain a few positions off some of those guys was good.

“It was fun – as long as you keep getting positions it’s good. We’re not the strongest on the straights, so you have to get the passing move done in other places, which can be a little bit more risky.”

Webber’s life was made harder after he dropped three places in the first lap, ending it in ninth.

“There was plenty to do in the first stint, we were a fair way back in the pack. And then obviously people started to lay their cards on the table in terms of what strategies to use. There were a lot of cars evenly paced, strategy wise it was very, very important to execute that as cleanly as possible. The out laps were important. I had Lewis j-u-s-t in Turn One on one of my out laps, and got on the marbles there.

“It was tricky to keep the balance of the car together, and keep pushing as hard as possible. In the end we got a good handful of points, I think it’s three fourths on the bounce now. Anyway we leave here reasonably satisfied. At the start of the race we looked like we were going to get a lot less, we got something at the end, we kept boxing and it looks like we need to keep improving.”

As might have been expected Fernando Alonso lost his World Championship lead in Shanghai after finishing only ninth- although at one stage he looked set to come away with a useful helping of points.

After starting in the same position Alonso made some good progress and spent part of the race in fourth place pushing Lewis Hamilton. However his relatively late last stop didn’t pay off and he tumbled down the order as the final stages of the race unfolded.

“It was not great, obviously we didn’t gain any positions,” said the Spaniard. “In Malaysia we said the strategy was perfect, was good, and today we have to be honest with ourselves knowing that it was not good. We didn’t make any single clear lap, we were always behind people and we finished behind Williams, so something went wrong for sure. So we need to analyse and improve for next time.”

Alonso said the team had expected more people to hit the ‘cliff’ with their tyres in the same way as Kimi Raikkonen, which would have allowed him to take more advantage of his fresher rubber.

“It was busy, and also with the top speed we have at the moment it was not possible to overtake anyone on the straights, so we had to risk in some strange positions, and sometimes you go off the track. It was a tricky race.”

Having taken his first F1 pole on Saturday Nico Rosberg followed up with his first win after a near faultless weekend for the German.

Rosberg got the start right and against the expectations of the opposition managed to not only keep his tyres alive but make a two-stop strategy work successfully. It was his 111^th Grand Prix start.

“It’s been the perfect weekend,” said Rosberg. “It was a great race. It was impressive to see really how we’ve managed to progress so quickly. We’ve really had some difficult times in the races, the first two, but we’ve made a lot of changes, worked hard at it and all of a sudden it’s come good. That’s been fantastic to see today.

“It’s never easy, especially taking care of the tyres was a big difficulty and a big challenge today because there was a lot of tyre wear, but it worked out well.

“I think we got it all right today, even tyre strategy. Everybody in the team did a great job, all the different people, my engineers at the start, the strategy, this and that – everything came together.”

Rosberg was pleased with the way the team had worked through its problems in the early races.

“Well, it’s set-up really, really thinking about what’s going on in the race and why are we struggling and trying to improve that situation. Surely the conditions helped us today, I think, but even so, we’re just moving forward and that’s very nice to see.

“Already from the beginning of the year we’ve been very strong in qualifying, perhaps more difficult in the race. Now we’re still strong in qualifying – very strong, maybe even stronger – and also improving the race, so it’s good progress forward and I’m sure that we will continue this ongoing development. It was mainly set-up.

“I had a great race today but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be like that at every race. We still need to push hard and continue progressing. Bahrain could be a little bit of a different story again. We need to wait and see. It’s difficult to predict. I couldn’t have predicted today so we’ll just take it as it comes, but for sure I’m looking forward to what’s to come because we’re looking much stronger.”