Ecclestone give "Injury Time" for Bahrain

Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, indicated it would provide additional time to the Bahrain GP organizers to decide whether they can hold the race this 2011 season, or not. F1 commercial rights holder is admitted quite optimistic with the country's political situation, so until early June was no certainty.

Supposedly, a series of Bahrain Grand Prix F1 2011 season opener was on 13 March. But the race at Sakhir circuit was canceled following the heat of the political climate in the country. Nevertheless, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) still provide the opportunity for Bahrain to host, by giving a time limit to provide assurance that on 1 May.

However, before the deadline, the situation in the Gulf state has not also indicate a change in the positive direction. That is, hardly possible for the organizing committee for the Bahrain Grand Prix FIA deadline.

However, Ecclestone to be more lenient. He indicated it would provide injury time again until early June. Ecclestone hopes, within one month ahead, conditions are much better Bahrain.

"We need to wait a little longer to see how progress is made​​," said Ecclestone told Reuters. "I suspect we'll be safe in early June or something like that.

"Everything can change in the next few weeks ... so you do not know. Peace can suddenly occur within one month and they are happy to organize the event, so we were glad to be there."

Webber Self Esteem Boost

Before the Grand Prix of China, many say that Mark Webber getting farther behind his team mate, Sebastian Vettel. But the race in China could change that perception.

In Chinese GP race on Sunday (17/04/2011), Webber, who started from position 18 in a tremendous lunge forward and eventually finished third behind Lewis Hamilton and Vettel.

Not just change people's perceptions, Webber himself was also a positive outcome because it can raise self-confidence that might have faded after the first two series in Australia and Malaysia.

"I think getting a good result was good for his confidence, let alone achieved through a great race," commented Red Bull principal Christian Horner, in Autosport.

"He had difficulty in qualifying but he still thinks, do not lose focus and he managed to show a great race," added Horner again.

The confidence which is necessary to thicken Webber in the rest of this season. He obtained good results, even more so if could be better than Vettel, Webber could make sustained in the teams'Red Bull'.

Difficult year for Ferrari

Disappointing performance of the Ferrari F150 from the last GP Shanghai was Alonso accusation to his car. He said that even if the race is 56 laps three times he entered Pitstop, the result will not change.

Alonso statement clearly implies that the engine power can not compensate RB7 F150 (Red Bull) and MP4-26 (McLaren). "We will see now, which is best. Choosing a strategy would be very easy if we have a very fast car," said 2004 and 2005 world champion told Spanish television after the race.

"To be able to win races in China, besides a good tire degradation, the proper tactics are also needed. If the two elements were fulfilled, then we could overtake," he said. "Like I said, that is easy is if we have a fast car, such as Red Bull. You want Pitstop three times, two, or one-time, would be on the podium," he said.

Alonso denied that he had problems with his car. He said that the F150 just slower. he expected that Ferrari must quickly take action.

Former Renault team boss, Flavio Briatore, claims the praching horse squad could only ranked third this year. "Ferrari will not be able to challenge the Red Bull this year."

Briatore criticized the Ferrari because he is also Fernando Alonso, Ferrari's flagship manager. It is impossible, he said, Ferrari could compete in the future. Only three series have already missed 55 points behind Red Bull. The rest three weeks before facing Turkey series was a period to improve the F150.

Ferrari team boss, Stefano Domenicali acknowledges that it is not possible to do quick fixes, particularly the problems experienced as less good performance of the car.

"The person behind the wheel is important, but the car is much more important," he said, as quoted by The Times F1. He continued, if a rider is very competitive, competitive car makes a difference, but could not because Fernando had a problem with the car.

In his eyes, Ferrari less creative, not like Red Bull who have professors Adrean Neway. It had been so, added Briatore, Red Bull have strong financial and equipment qualified. So, worth if Red Bull can dominate the race.

GP Shanghai: Hamilton was remarkable

Lewis Hamilton finally won his first victory this season. The McLaren driver this appear extraordinary in Shanghai on Sunday (04/17/2011), to beat the defending champion Sebastian Vettel.

Hamilton won the Chinese Grand Prix 2011 with a time of one hour 36 minutes 58.226 seconds, five seconds ahead of Vettel, who led the race until the final four laps, before failing to hold the speed of drivers from the United Kingdom it.

If Hamilton won his first top podium this season, Vettel nevertheless recorded a hat-trick victory early in the season, after he became a winner in Australia and Malaysia. But Red Bull racer was still leading the standings.

Remarkable effort was Mark Webber performance. Vettel's teammate was appearing so aggressive and smooth to penetrate the three big ratings, even though he was in the back row at the start, exactly in the order of 18.

When the race started, Vettel failed to maintain its position as the holder of the pole. Jenson Button managed to beat him at the first corner, so did Hamilton. Vettel started third on the opening lap.

Until the fifth lap, no incidents of interest unless Webber who has begun to "repay" to slowly move forward. In this lap record Vettel fastest laps and putting pressure on Hamilton.

On the sixth lap Webber has gone up three positions from the previous, after Rubens Barrichello. In front, Button gives distance 1.4 seconds on Hamilton who remained behind.

Lap 2 until lap 10 of the occupied six formations Button, Hamilton, Vettel, Rosberg, Massa and Alonso still persisted. and Webber's first senior rider who entered tire change pit on lap 12.

Being the first rider into the pit was Alguersuari (Toro Rosso) on lap 11 and when it entered the left rear tire was lose off the track. A careless wrok of mechanical make Alguersuari could not continue the race.

Interesting incident occurred on lap 15. Button and Vettel simultaneously into pitlane. Button like the wrong line to a Red Bull! Mistakes made him lose time, and she quickly lost out than Vettel.

Tight battle between Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso on lap 19, to compete for the fourth position. It reminds the old rivalry between the two teams, when Schumacher was at Ferrari and Alonso at Renault.

Button Pitstop enter again on lap 25, and that meant he had to wear three Pitstop strategy. Rosberg, who previously led the race, entered the pit on lap 26, and Vettel was back to lead.

Racing starts heating up since lap 30. Button beat Alonso in the hairpin. Strategy two Pitstop Ferrari did not run smoothly for Alonso. He also then be followed by Hamilton, who recorded the fastest lap on the next lap.

Vettel did Pitstop second on lap 32, changing the tires hard. He seemed to be wearing two Pitstop strategy. Meanwhile, Webber was in ninth position.

After changing because turns Pitstop leadership race, Vettel began to secure the lead since lap 38, Massa second. Webber suddenly was in sixth on lap 43.

Hamilton started to step on the gas on lap 45 to pass Massa on lap 45. That left Vettel drivers who are in front of him, with a distance of nearly five seconds.

Lap after lap Hamilton continues to close on lap 49 and stayed away 1.9 seconds! With a fierce battle ensued. Vettel seems to bother to defend his position from attack Hamilton craze.

But Hamilton could not be prevented anymore. On lap 52, from the left side he managed to beat Vettel in a corner. McLaren stronghold delight, Red Bull-ketir ketar. Since then Vettel did not look competitive anymore to catch Hamilton.

What is unexpected is Webber. In the four last lap he was in fourth position and the closest mission is to beat Button to be able to reach the podium. And truly extraordinary, the Australian driver managed to overtake Button on the last lap, and then finish number three. Stunning action from Webber.

Jenson Button defeated Webber in the last lap, and had to settle for fourth. Nico Rosberg impressive show and was ranked sixth. He followed the Ferrari duo Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso.

Shanghai circuit 

56 Laps Races

5,541 km - circuit length

Chinese GP Results:

1 Lewis Hamilton 1:36:58.226
2 Sebastian Vettel + 5198
3 Mark Webber + 7555
4 Jenson Button + 10 000
5 Nico Rosberg + 13 448
6 Felipe Massa + 15 840
7 Fernando Alonso + 30 622
8 Michael Schumacher + 31 026
+ 57 404 9 Vitaly Petrov
10 Kamui Kobayashi + 1:03.273
11 Paul At Resta + 1:08.757
+ 1:12.739 12 Nick Heidfeld
+ 1:30.189 13 Rubens Barrichello
+ 1:30.671 14 Sebastien Buemi
15 Adrian Sutil at 1 lap
16 Heikki Kovalainen at 1 lap
17 Sergio Perez at 1 lap
18 Pastor Maldonado at 1 lap
19 Jarno Trulli at 1 lap
20 Jerome d 'Ambrosio at 2 laps
21 Timo Glock at 2 laps
22 Narain Karthikeyan at 2 laps
23 Vitantonio Liuzzi at 2 laps
24 Jaime Alguersuari at 47 laps (DNF)

McLaren will have new exhaust in GP China

McLaren will tried hard for the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend they have a few new things that can rival the speed of Red Bull Racing. The team is working to have a new ground floor and exhaust.

Last week in Malaysia, Lewis Hamilton has been trying some new parts during practice on Friday. However, the team decided to stick with the previous development for the rest of the event because they do not want to take a risk with the competitiveness issue.

In the third series in Shanghai later, McLaren will use a few new things in training sessions and team boss Martin Whitmarsh believes that his team had got what it takes to hunt for Red Bull Racing.


"We have some things we'd try on Friday and that is the nature of this sport,"explained Whitmarsh. "I think we were pretty close, but I wanted to be closer again or even be in front."

"This is my job to continue to encourage and improve the car, which we will try and do it. We have some interesting work to be done on Friday in China, but not much time. We'll do the best we can."

"If you look at the progress we have done in the last four or five weeks, we are heading in the right direction. But we need to continue working if you want a competitive, win races and compete for the championship this season."

When asked to explain why, if the new floor and exhaust will make them faster, but two things were not used in Malaysia, Whitmarsh said, "Some elements were there, but you have to concentrate to win the race."

DRS - Only use in one point

SHANGHAI Series will be held this weekend and the use of DRS was being limited in part of the circuit if DRS at Sepang circuit should only be used on the track straight in front of the VIP stands, then to China F1 circuit held in Shanghai on April 17, 2011, were only allowed on the straight track out of the corner 13 to corner 14. This track has a length of 1.17 km and is the second longest track on the F1 arena.

However, the racer is not allowed to operate along the distance of the DRS. To prevent the process from becoming too easy to overtake, a tool that reduces wind resistance traps should only be used along 900 meters (so the car out of the corner 13). The point of detection to monitor the distance between rider has been made since the bend to the 12th.

According to the observations of newcomers racer (rookie), Paul in Resta, many opportunities to use the DRS at the Shanghai circuit. The track is thought to be one track that is conducive.

"It would be something interesting, to see how DRS is actively working with the rear wing that moves in Shanghai. It could be anywhere, do not have the straight tracks that have been determined because Shanghai has a lot of straight track," called on Resta.

Meanwhile, Renault's technical director James Allison has warned the FIA ​​for not limiting the rider using the DRS on the track straight. "We're so nice to see the scene to overtake done a lot of riders and I think, at Sepang, the FIA ​​have done it correctly,"said James.

Hamilton drop to eigth place in Sepang due penalty

Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton being punished penalty 20 seconds in the Malaysian GP. For Alonso, the penalty is not influential. But for Hamilton, its position so it fell one place to eighth position.

In the race at the Sepang Circuit on Sunday (10/04/2011), Alonso and Hamilton was involved in a fierce competition gaining the third position. On lap 45, Alonso tried to overtake the McLaren driver. His efforts failed and the car intersect with Hamilton's car. As a result, the front wing of Alonso's car was damaged and the mainstay of Ferrari must enter the pits.

The incident turned out to long tails. Alonso considered to violate Article 16.1 which punishes drivers who have caused the collision. While Hamilton violated Article 20.2 which states "maneuvers that tend to impede the other drivers, such as more than once to change the direction to maintain its position, is not allowed".

Both riders were eventually convicted. Note the final time they added a penalty 20 seconds.

After the race, the race watchdog called Hamilton and Alonso to investigate the incident that occurred when they serempetan gaining third place. Alonso looking car grazed Hamilton, the McLaren driver made ​​the front wing was damaged.

Front wing of Alonso's car touched the left rear tire right of Hamilton's car so that both riders were forced to go extra pit stop to fix their cars. As a result, Alonso had to settle for sixth and finished behind Hamilton.

These penalties are not influential for Alonso. He is still entitled to the sixth position. While for Hamilton, his position fell one place to eighth position. Seventh position was to be owned by Kamui Kobayashi.

While the drivers' standings, Alonso is still ranked fifth with a collection of 20 points. Hamilton remains in third place with 22 points.

Vettel wins again at Sepang

Sebastian Vettel perfecting the appearance of the F1 season. After Australia, Red Bull Racing driver was continuing his victory in F1 Malaysia, Sunday (10 / 4) to dominate the race for 56 laps without getting resistance.

With his second victory, the German rider stays on top with 50 digit victory. Vettel achieved success in Malaysia was thanks to the strategy team that runs the "Plan A" with three times instead of tires. Finally he was able to complete 56 laps with a best time of 1 hour total of 37 minutes 39.832 seconds.

While team-mate Mark Webber who run the "Plan B" with four times the change tires finish fourth. If only his start was not bad, maybe Red Bull can finish 1-2. But, with this result Webber looks pretty good.

Jenson Button's second place was taken from McLaren. British rider is successful second podium thanks to a strategy Pitstop third on lap 38 ahead of teammate done. So when Hamilton Pitstop few laps later and when the incoming trajectory is behind Button.


Surprise made Nick Heidfeld who managed to drag the Renault finished third. German rider who replaced Kubica was performed brilliantly. Unfortunately, the performance of the car is not as good as the three top teams (Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari). But thanks to the experience, he can fight back and the first podium for Renault in the 2011 season.

Poor Alonso

The Racing who took 56 rounds below the air temperature 36 degrees Celsius, quite tense at the beginning. WAG-10 first came to use the soft compound tires, which means no more than 15 laps into the pit will replace the tire.

Renault duo start to make a breakthrough spectacular second with Nick Heidfeld and Petro fifth poke. Precisely teammate Vettel, Mark Webber who finished third from ninth sag. RB7 looked at start rate is very slow.

Here the experience is speaking and Petrov can not long maintain its position. Heidfeld except that up to 12 first lap, Hamilton was behind hard sliding. Even on a straight track at the starting line, Hamilton functioning of DRS still can not overtake.

Rubens Barrichello became the first driver who entered Pitstop on the fourth lap, after being touched in a lap early and leaky tire.

Webber still exhausted by the weight of his car because of using KERS. On the seventh lap he easily enough Kamui Kobayashi was defeated in straight track, and Japanese rider took the ninth position.

On lap 11 Webber replace the tires with a soft, while McLaren told Hamilton to survive as long as possible. In front, Vettel began providing distance with number two driver, Heidfeld, with a distance of eight seconds.

Hamilton entered Pitstop on lap 13 and pitlane exit at number 10. Then Vettel did the same. Water droplets began to fall from the sky, like a sign going to rain as predicted.

Unfortunately, Heidfeld loses second position while doing the tire change on lap 14 which coincided with Vettel and Button. When finished changing the tire into the track, Heidfeld was behind Button.

Alonso was shown brilliant appearance. On lap 17 she managed to overtake Button from the inside at the first corner and occupy third place behind Vettel and Hamilton. Prior to bulldoze Button, Ferrari driver is brushing Kobayashi who was perched in fourth place before entering the pits changing tires.

On lap 22 Webber entered the pit to run the team strategy "Plan B" that might be four times a change of tires. While Vettel over the radio told the team he is running the "Plan A" (three times change) and he'd go change the tire pa lap-26 and its position forth. But, one lap later he made it back first after Heidfeld and Alonso into the pit instead of tires.

Still on lap 22, Button also entered the pit instead of tires, while his team mate Hamilton followed on lap 25. Remove lap-30, McLaren duo (Hamilton and Button) already are behind Vettel and 4 seconds over the distance. Via radio to preach if Vettel not use DRS.

Damn toward Hamilton. Coming to the last few laps the car less than the maximum. Even have went off the track, so the fourth position taken Webber.

On lap 33, Webber run the Plan B into the third pit replace the tire. Only, this time not soft but a hard compound. McLaren duo followed a similar move on lap 39. and Vettel had come in on lap 42 with a hard tire selection.

Coming to the last 12 laps, Alonso tried to push Hamilton and made a motion to right-left for McLaren to the bait and the opportunities open in the first corner. Apparently, the tactic was not successful. In fact the left wing tip of the front tires bump Alonso made his pit pa must be signed in lap 47 and lost 19 seconds more time to replace the muzzle.

Due to the passionate zeal that made him to be content to be in sixth.

Hamilton is still in the top three behind Vettel and Button, but he seriously pursued by Heidfeld and Massa. He eventually followed by Heidfeld on lap 52, and also extends far beyond the track on the next lap. Too many obstacles for Hamilton, and he was forced into Pitstop again.

Petrov also experienced bad luck. In the last lap he stray too far into the sand track when cornering, and his car to "jump" quite high. R31 steering wheel on landing him off! Nothing else can be done Petrov and her stranded on the sidelines, complete with tragic results.

On the last lap certainly not overtaken Vettel, Button and Heidfeld are also entitled to get a podium. Webber still deserves thumbs up for the finish number four. The masses get 10 points, crossing the flag flutter in front of teammate, Alonso.


RACE: 56 LAP
TRACK: 5.543 KM
Competition Results
1. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1h37: 39 832
2. Button McLaren-Mercedes + 3261
3. Heidfeld Renault + 25 075
4. Webber Red Bull-Renault + 26 384
5. Massa Ferrari + 36 958
6. Alonso Ferrari + 37 248
7. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes + 49 957
8. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari + 1:07.239
9. Schumacher Mercedes 1:24.896 +
10. In Resta Force India-Mercedes 1:31.563 +
11. Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:45.000 +
12. Rosberg Mercedes + 1 lap
13. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1 lap
14. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1 lap
15. Kovalainen Lotus-Renault + 1 lap
16. Virgin Glock-Cosworth + 2 laps
17. Petrov Renault + 4 laps
18 Jarno Trulli at 25 laps (DNF)
19 Vitantonio Liuzzi at 10 laps (DNF)
20 Jerome d 'Ambrosio at 14 laps (DNF)
21 Sergio Perez at 32 laps (DNF)
22 Rubens Barrichello at 33 laps (DNF)
23 Narain Karthikeyan at 41 laps (DNF)
24 Pastor Maldonado at 48 laps (DNF)

Fastest lap: Webber, 1:40.571