F1

The fist two practices are over at Bahrain. Rubens was fastest with Juan second. No real surprises there. What was shocking was the amount of cut tyres especially from Michelin.

As may have been expected there were quite a few spinoffs. Michael Schumacher, Coulthard, Trulli and Alonso all spun. Most of the drivers were superheating their brakes at the first corner which may have caused problems. Christian Klien managed to set fourth quickest time in the second session in the Jaguar.

The track looked awesome. It had much more undulation than I thought it would have. It looked narrow the first time they went to the in car camera, but from above there seemed to be plenty of room. I guess that viewing it the first time played tricks on the eyes. It looked like a first rate facility with impressive looking stands and garages. The safety teams seemed a little slow. Hopefully they will get that worked out. It still amazes me that in these times, F1 is running in Bahrain. In an effort to ease worries, King Bernie said he was safer in Bahrain than in London. For him and only him he is probably correct!

One note about Speed TV’s coverage. First of all, I want to know if these guys are even at the track or if they are watching a feed like the rest of us. It seems like they never make “local” comments. Not knocking that notion, just wondered. What I am knocking is their crappy ass coverage. Bob Varsha is just awful. He knows nothing and adds nothing to the program. David Hobbs is good, but when it seems like he is not there his insight suffers. Steve Matchette really doesn’t add anything either.

If F1 is to grow in this country something has to be done. TV coverage is such an easy place to start. Danny Sullivan is working with the Red Bull people to find an American driver, but that may or may not happen. The repaving of the Speedway tells me F1 will be sticking around, but with the current business climate in Europe, I am sure Bernie would like to be on the west coast as well as Indy. Anyway, just thoughts.

My predictions for this weekend stay pretty much the same. Schummi, Juan and Rubens 1-2-3.