Formula 1: Race analysis GP Bahrain

W Why did Sebastian Vettel suddenly lose engine power?

Sebastian Vettel had the race in Bahrain under control for 33 laps. But that changed suddenly. 'Somewhere in the slow sector it was puffing. I immediately felt that the performance had plummeted. I couldn't defend myself at all,' said the Red Bull driver, explaining the problem from the driver's point of view. The Ferraris quickly passed by, and a little later Lewis Hamilton's McLaren as well.

Because of the unusual engine noise, many initially thought the exhaust was the culprit. However, a detailed examination after the race showed that everything was fine here. So the problem was with the engine. 'A spark plug or an ignition cable was probably to blame,' explained Christian Horner later. 'That cost about ten percent performance.' With 750 hp, Vettel was missing around 75 horses. Red Bull reacted in the race by changing the engine program. With success: In the end, the Heppenheimer was able to set respectable times again and secure fourth place.

Why did Nico Rosberg lose a place at the pit stop?

A lot is up ahead strategy was discussed in the race. Without refueling, the only thing that matters this season is the right time to change tires. But there were hardly any unusual tactical games in Bahrain. The only one who was able to overtake in the pits was Lewis Hamilton. The McLaren driver went to the tire service one lap ahead of Nico Rosberg. When Rosberg turned back on the route, the Englishman was long gone. But why?

The answer is simple: With new tires, Hamilton was able to turn a faster lap than Rosberg. The German also lost a few tenths when he stopped because Jenson Button's second McLaren blocked the exit into the pit lane from behind. But why did tactic fox Ross Brawn not first call the better positioned Rosberg to change, but Michael Schumacher? “We're still analyzing it,” said Mercedes. They probably wanted to bring Schumi past Hamilton through an earlier stop. Since the McLaren stopped in the same lap, the plan failed.

How did Timo Glock get past Heikki Kovalainen?

It was the only really exciting thing Duel throughout the race: Timo Glock against Heikki Kovalainen. 'I already fooled in the first corner that it closed. Buthe lost some momentum and I was able to overtake him at the exit of turn three or four. Normal overtaking maneuver ', Glock describes the won duel from his point of view.

Heikki Kovalainen, on the other hand, told a slightly different version:' When he drove by, I let him pass on purpose. I had problems with the radio throughout the race. And for some reason I heard I had to let him by. Because I'm getting a penalty or doing something wrong. In the slow corners I was told to keep going. I already thought to myself: what's going on here? That was a bit confused. He probably didn't even notice that I took off the gas. '

Why couldn't Felipe Massa keep up with Fernando Alonso?

Fernando had barely left Alonso and Felipe Massa overtook Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso really accelerated. Suddenly the Brazilian couldn't follow his team-mate. 'I suddenly got a problem. The temperature in the car was too high for the rest of the race. This increased fuel consumption. 'The team instructed the Brazilian to save fuel. The pilot obeyed the order, but was no longer able to attack.

' I paid attention to the fuel consumption and couldn't do anything else ', complained Massa after his first race in six months.' I was still lucky with Sebastian (Vettel) 's problem. Lewis (Hamilton) wasn't that fast either. 'In the end Massa could laugh again.' After all, it was the best start to the season of my career. '

Why was McLaren faster in the race than in the race Training?

With fourth and eighth in qualifying, McLaren lost all chances of victory in Bahrain early on. Red Bull and Ferrari were clearly out of reach. In the race, however, the times were suddenly very competitive. But what was the reason for the change? 'In qualifying we simply focused too much on a race setup. So we didn't have a chance of pole position, 'explained team principal Martin Whitmarsh after the race.

On Sunday the car then worked perfectly. Only Nico Rosberg got in Lewis Hamilton's way when he was already in the first Whitmarsh is certain: 'If it hadn't been for Rosberg, we would have been able to fight at the very front,' says Whitmarsh. 'From the times we were on a level with the top three. We were even the fastest in the field on used tires. '