Michael Schumacher took pole for the 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix in a spectacular qualification system that kept the viewers on their toes right thru… Massa banged in a perfect lap to seal the front row for the Scarlet cars as Button and Alonso took the second row.
The fastest lap of the session went to Alonso with a marvellous 2nd qualification lap that was uncontested till the end… The pole lap was over 3 tenths of a second slower than the current world champ.
Predictions:
One look at the lap times in the 2 qualification segments and the main qualification show that the Renaults and Honda are faster than the Ferrari… Difference in fuel loads might be the cause behind the final result but Alonso and Fisi in their respective interviews after qualification said it was a error and tyre prob form their side.
If the times are to be gone by I expect the Renaults to stay longer on track before the first pitstop. Expect the Ferraris to make 15 laps and then pit… Renaults will be around 20-25th lap. Stratergy wise if MSc gets a great start and pulls away he has a good chance of retaining the lead till the end… but considering the initial part of the 3rd qualification I doubt that would happen…
The first corner… I expect MSc and Button to be in a better place as they are on the cleaner side of the track… Renault launch control will be a big thing and if they are as good as it was in 2004, Alonso will prob be p1 before lap 1(which I doubt).
Stratergy for Alonso: Well stick with MSC… not give him a lead of over 2-3 secs for the first 10 laps or so… Then put in some amazing laps before pitting and try and get out ahead of the Scarlet cars… Its a tough stratergy but it tried and tested…
The final qualification result is available here
Final result prediction:
Alonso, MSc and Button (I am hoping more than betting here :P )