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Bahrain technical preview
TheBahrain International Circuit offers an interesting technical challengefor the teams, even if the circuit is not renowned for its excitinghigh-speed corners. With long straights, big braking zones and severallow-speed sections, it is a circuit that requires good mechanical gripand a precise and responsive car. In this regard it is quite similar toMelbourne's Albert Park as the emphasis is on hard acceleration andstability under braking. A strong engine, good mechanical grip andsound brake balance are therefore the keys to a good lap in Bahrain. 
Aerodynamics
Theteam will run a similar aero package to Melbourne and Sepang, althoughthe lack of high-speed corners in Bahrain means that the downforcesettings will be a level lower than in the first two races. The threelong straights also require a slippery car in order to get goodstraight-line speed in the race, although this can make the car nervousunder braking.
Chassis set-up
A set-upcompromise must be sought to ensure a stable balance in the quickcorners and supple enough suspension in the lower sections to give goodmechanical grip. Hitting this balance will also minimise oversteer onthe exit of the slower corners, allowing the drivers to carry goodspeed onto the straights. Good braking stability is also important,especially in Turn 10 where the drivers must begin turning into thecorner while still braking.
Brakes
TheBahrain International Circuit is one of the more demanding circuits onthe brakes, being similar to Montreal as one of the most severe testsof the year. With three big stops from over 320kph into first or secondgear corners, the car needs good stability to avoid locking tyresduring the race. The frequency of braking is also significant,especially between Turns 4 and 13, where the brakes are constantlyrunning at high temperatures without the chance to cool down. Brakingis further complicated this year by the absence of engine brakingsystems, and a mistake into the slow corners of 10, 13 or 14 couldprove costly with the drivers having to be defensive down the followingstraights.
Tyres
Tyre energy isrelatively low in Bahrain owing to the lack of high-speed corners andso the team will use the medium and soft option Bridgestone tyres, aswas the case in Melbourne. Tyre wear is not a particular concern,although tyre temperatures tend to be high because of the hot tarmacsurface and the high brake temperatures that feed through to the tyres.The presence of sand on the track surface also means that grip levelson the circuit are always relatively low and any sand will embed in thetyres and reduce grip for several corners. Drivers must therefore stickto the racing line as much as possible to keep the tyres clean.
Engine Performance
TheBahrain Grand Prix gives a good test of the engine with around 63% ofthe lap spent on full throttle, but the latest generation engines arewell capable of running at peak revs in high temperatures. The onlyconcern arises when high temperatures combine with especially dry airwhich can impact on engine cooling, or following the possible ingestionof sand which can impact severely on engine performance.
Strategy
Thefuel effect is slightly lower than in Malaysia because there are fewerquick corners that are critical to lap time. Carrying a heavy fuel loadtherefore has less impact in Bahrain, but a two-stop race is still theoptimum strategy. We can expect the top ten cars on the grid to maketheir first stop anywhere between laps 17 and 21, with the second stopsaround laps 35 to 40. The bottom 12 cars will probably make their firststop between laps 20 and 25, and their second stop between laps 40 to45. |
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Post time 3-4-2008 09:54 AM
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