BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX: This weekend we turn our attention to the Sakhir Circuit in Bahrain. With the chequered flag dropping in China only last week, it’s important to note that little to no development will have taken place on the cars over the four days between Sunday in China and the first practice session in Bahrain on Friday.
After Sebastian Vettel’s impressive performance in recovering his strategy-compromised Ferrari in to second place at the Shanghai circuit, it seems we have a bona-fide Championship fight on our hands. What’s more, it’s between two drivers that have won seven of the last ten World Championships. Suitably both Lewis Hamilton and Vettel have won at Bahrain twice each. Barring accident or error, the battle for the race win will be extremely close.
While Hamilton and Vettel have been winning races, their respective teammates have flailed around the place in unflattering fashion. Valtteri Bottas is already under pressure at Mercedes, out-qualified by Hamilton in rounds one and two, and guilty of costing his team a podium finish by spinning out under safety car conditions. His countryman, Kimi Raikkonen is having an even worse time at Ferrari. The Finn has been a distant and poor second to Vettel in nearly every session this year, and has generally been at the back of the Ferrari/Mercedes train since testing. At 37 years of age he may be lacking the required desire.
That being said, both Finns have immense pedigree and fiercely competitive packages. They should be coasting to third and fourth at a minimum. Anything beyond that would require problems for Messrs Lewis and Sebastian.
The track itself has been dominated by Mercedes in recent years but it’s always been a place where Ferrari go well. This circuit has more traction zones than most on the calendar with lots of slow corners and long straights. A tyre-critical race might suit the Ferrari which has shown more against the Mercs over a race distance than in a one lap shoot-out in qualifying.
Elsewhere, look to Williams. Traditionally fast in Bahrain, they’ve a sizable advantage over the rest of the midfield at the moment, provided their rookie/veteran combination of Lance Stroll and Felipe Massa keep their noses clean, they should pick up good points this weekend.
Outright
There’s no evidence thus far that Sebastian Vettel or Lewis Hamilton can be challenged for the win by either of their teammates, a long shot on Valtteri Bottas at 13, or Kimi Raikkonen at 12.5 will be unlikely to reap dividends. While Hamilton is his usual short self, 1.95, Vettel is still available on BETDAQ exchange at 3.1 and that’s where we see the value this weekend. Ferrari are a match for Mercedes this year, and Bahrain should be one of their strongest tracks.
Specials
While we don’t quite see Bottas or Raikkonen troubling the top step of the podium, they’re expected to finish at least third and fourth, if either of their teammates have problems then we should see a very Finnish podium. At 3.4 backing the ‘Podium Finnish’ could be a profitable adventure. A good race for Williams would constitute both cars in the points, we think Felipe Massa could trouble the top six, his junior teammate is still looking for his first point of a nascent career. The ‘Williams’ best case scenario’ special is up and available at 4.7 and is well worth a punt.
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