Official 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***

[Piginapoke]

Well, we’re off again. Will it be a case of meet the new season, same as the old season?

The big question seems of be whether Ferrari can close the gap to Red Bull, as Mercedes appear to have built another draggy, on today/off tomorrow car and Mclaren and Alpine still seem a long way from challenging the establishment. For the sake of the season, come on Leclerc and the SF23!

It will be interesting to see the opening round of Norris/Piastri and Ocon/Gasly, both have potential for falling out over the season.

Here’s to a great race and thank God F1 is back.

Date(s): Friday 3 to Sunday 5 March 2023.

UK Broadcast Timings (and track time)

All sessions are live on Sky F1. Qualifying and the race are shown as highlights on Channel 4.





2022 Race Highlights:

https://youtu.be/wIYPuzWCCSw

Live timing for all sessions available here:

https://www.formula1.com/en/f1-live.html

Lap times, PU component use, technical reports and Stewards' decisions for the weekend will appear here:

https://www.fia.com/documents/championships/fia-fo...

Weather forecast: (currently hot and sunny)

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/thev...

Tyre options:

Pirelli is bringing its hardest compounds, so C1, C2 and C3



2022 Race Result:



Drivers’ Championship:

N/A

Constructors’ Championship:

N/A

[595Heaven]

Thanks for getting us going for 2023 PIAP!

Testing has been…. testing for a few teams, but the rough order is probably as expected. Strange to see some porpoising on day 1, and even stranger to see Alonso / Aston Martin up front.

I desperately need to sort out a VPN and F1 TV for the season!

Edited by 595Heaven on Saturday 25th February 07:11

[PhilAsia]

I cannot see anyone other than Max hitting the ground running... Great second season for Newey's car and a relaxed drive to the flag.

[Pflanzgarten]

Yes to two things, PIAP’s PH threads and Verstappen’s easy cruise to a third WDC.

Still, even in Hamilton’s pomp there were some absolutely belting races so we can at least hope for some competition at some of the races.

[Derek Smith]

Thanks for the thread/season starter.

Yippee!

[anonymous-user]

Perhaps the most interesting thing will be the gap back to Perez. Max will rightly get the upgrades first, he is #1 after all, so Perez does have to work a little harder but I think he really needs to be a solid second fastest to have any chance of retaining that seat through to the end of the season. If Ferrari and Mercedes start pushing, they have two fast drivers who can challenge Max so he needs a rear gunner. I

Other things, Alpine vs McLaren should be good, can’t really see who else pushes for fourth but Piastri needs to be quick as Alpine have two fast and established drivers. Alfa could join that battle as I do rate Ghou and will have a punt on him finishing on the podium for the first time this year.

I’m looking forward to F1 ‘23 but WEC and Le Mans will still be more interesting

[kambites]

PhilAsia said:

I cannot see anyone other than Max hitting the ground running... Great second season for Newey's car and a relaxed drive to the flag.

That's my guess too; I think this could be one of the most dominant seasons (in terms of the world driver's championship) in the history of the sport. It's less clear who will come out best of the rest but I think they'll be even further behind Max than they were last year, which was already statistically one of the most dominant seasons ever.

I hope I'm wrong though!

[130R]

I think de Vries and Piastri should be the best rookies we have seen for quite a while. Expecting both to put in some decent performances this year

[anonymous-user]

130R said:

I think de Vries and Piastri should be the best rookies we have seen for quite a while. Expecting both to put in some decent performances this year

I think they may struggle but I guess it depends how you define “best”, they need to be within 1s of their team mates, ideally closer

[RammyMP]

I hope this season is a bit closer!

[Jordie Barretts sock]

Be interested to see how Albon gets on with the Williams now he's settled in a bit.

Can't see past a Max easy win though.

[cgt2]

Charles

[Jasandjules]

We will know next weekend more about who has the engines turned down, fuel levels etc.... True pace will only come along when they turn the wick up and take the fuel out... Fingers crossed it is close though.. All through the field.

[Teppic]

Barring any reliability issues, it's hard to see past a Red Bull 1-2 with Max taking the win.

[mk1coopers]

Whilst I’d prefer Max / RB not to win if they do I’d like it to be with no controversy, if they do it will, in my mind, be the first legitimate championship they have won (this isn’t meant to start off all the old debates), I’ll be supporting Mercedes

[cgt2]

Teppic said:

Barring any reliability issues, it's hard to see past a Red Bull 1-2 with Max taking the win.

Will be interesting to see the dynamic between Perez and Verstappen after the end of last season.

[cgt2]

Jordie Barretts sock said:

Be interested to see how Albon gets on with the Williams now he's settled in a bit.

Can't see past a Max easy win though.

Sergeant may quite possibly show him up as overrated

[Another project]

cgt2 said:

Jordie Barretts sock said:

Be interested to see how Albon gets on with the Williams now he's settled in a bit.

Can't see past a Max easy win though.

Sergeant may quite possibly show him up as overrated

I didn't think sergeant turned many heads in f2, I don't think albon has much to worry about

[vulture1]

130R said:

I think de Vries and Piastri should be the best rookies we have seen for quite a while. Expecting both to put in some decent performances this year

Yep Tsunoda is going to have to have a steller year. ESpcially seeing as he only has a seat due to Honda wanting him.

[Sandpit Steve]

BBC reporting that if Stroll can’t make it this week, his replacement might be… Seb Vettel!

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/64772999

Thanks as always PIAP for starting these threads, game on for the 2023 season!