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2012 Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix

1st Friday Practice 2nd Friday Practice Saturday Practice Qualifying Race

Timed Results

Discussion Thread

1st Friday Practice

Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix - 1st Friday Practice

(04/20/2012)

10:00

NewsOnF1:

Welcome to our coverage of the 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix

Friday April 20, 2012 10:00 NewsOnF1

10:00

NewsOnF1:

1st Friday practice session gets underway

Friday April 20, 2012 10:00 NewsOnF1

10:01

NewsOnF1:

Air temperature is 27 degrees while track temperature is 35 degrees

Friday April 20, 2012 10:01 NewsOnF1

10:01

NewsOnF1:

Drivers head out for their installation laps

Friday April 20, 2012 10:01 NewsOnF1

10:02

[Comment From frankj27 frankj27 : ]

welcome back ED: Thanks and many apologies for what happened in China, we just couldn't get things to work!

Friday April 20, 2012 10:02 frankj27

10:05

NewsOnF1:

The track is very dusty

Friday April 20, 2012 10:05 NewsOnF1

10:06

NewsOnF1:

Schumacher and Rosberg are the only 2 drivers yet to go out on installation laps

Friday April 20, 2012 10:06 NewsOnF1

10:08

NewsOnF1:

This is the first time for F1 at this track since 2010. They have not raced here on the Pirellis

Friday April 20, 2012 10:08 NewsOnF1

10:09

NewsOnF1:

The 2 Mercedes cars are on the track now

Friday April 20, 2012 10:09 NewsOnF1

10:10

NewsOnF1:

Perez in the Sauber returns to the track

Friday April 20, 2012 10:10 NewsOnF1

10:12

NewsOnF1:

Perez pits without setting a time

Friday April 20, 2012 10:12 NewsOnF1

10:13

NewsOnF1:

At this event, only Valtteri Bottas is on test duty for Williams taking the seat of Bruno Senna

Friday April 20, 2012 10:13 NewsOnF1

10:14

NewsOnF1:

Webber and Hamilton go back out

Friday April 20, 2012 10:14 NewsOnF1

10:15

NewsOnF1:

It is typical for a Friday to have low attendance here but this year it seems very empty (which would be expected given the political situation in the country)

Friday April 20, 2012 10:15 NewsOnF1

10:16

NewsOnF1:

Webber and Hamilton pit as Vettel and Glock go out

Friday April 20, 2012 10:16 NewsOnF1

10:16

NewsOnF1:

Perez goes out again

Friday April 20, 2012 10:16 NewsOnF1

10:17

NewsOnF1:

Not only that the track is dusty but there is also a lot of dust in the air

Friday April 20, 2012 10:17 NewsOnF1

10:17

NewsOnF1:

No times set yet as Perez pits again

Friday April 20, 2012 10:17 NewsOnF1

10:20

NewsOnF1:

Hulkenberg and di Resta on the track

Friday April 20, 2012 10:20 NewsOnF1

10:21

NewsOnF1:

Looks like Hulkenberg is going for a timed run

Friday April 20, 2012 10:21 NewsOnF1

10:22

NewsOnF1:

A 1:36.855 for Hulkenberg

Friday April 20, 2012 10:22 NewsOnF1

10:22

NewsOnF1:

And di Resta sets a 1:37.380

Friday April 20, 2012 10:22 NewsOnF1

10:23

NewsOnF1:

Hulkenberg improves with a 1:35.544

Friday April 20, 2012 10:23 NewsOnF1

10:26

NewsOnF1:

di Resta now quickest with a 1:34.929

Friday April 20, 2012 10:26 NewsOnF1

10:26

NewsOnF1:

Just the 2 Force India drivers with set times, a few more drivers join in the action

Friday April 20, 2012 10:26 NewsOnF1

10:27

NewsOnF1:

Kobayashi goes 3rd with a 1:36.991

Friday April 20, 2012 10:27 NewsOnF1

10:28

NewsOnF1:

Grosjean takes 3rd with a 1:35.220

Friday April 20, 2012 10:28 NewsOnF1

10:28

NewsOnF1:

Hulkenberg quickest with a 1:34.859

Friday April 20, 2012 10:28 NewsOnF1

10:30

NewsOnF1:

di Resta improves but remains in second, just 0.009 behind his teammate

Friday April 20, 2012 10:30 NewsOnF1

10:31

NewsOnF1:

Now Grosjean goes quickest with a 1:34.847

Friday April 20, 2012 10:31 NewsOnF1

10:33

NewsOnF1:

Hard to compare times with previous seasons, there was no race last year and in 2010 the track was extended so the last time this track configuration was used was in 2009 and Hamilton was quickest in first practice with a 1:33.647 (using Bridgestone tyres)

Friday April 20, 2012 10:33 NewsOnF1

10:33

NewsOnF1:

de la Rosa and Karthikeyan go 5th and 6th in the HRTs

Friday April 20, 2012 10:33 NewsOnF1

10:35

NewsOnF1:

A few more drivers are on the track

Friday April 20, 2012 10:35 NewsOnF1

10:36

NewsOnF1:

Maldonado goes 5th with a 1:36.764

Friday April 20, 2012 10:36 NewsOnF1

10:37

NewsOnF1:

Raikkonen goes 4th with a 1:35.762

Friday April 20, 2012 10:37 NewsOnF1

10:38

NewsOnF1:

Raikkonen goes quickest with a 1:34.609

Friday April 20, 2012 10:38 NewsOnF1

10:39

[Comment From John Swede John Swede : ]

Why organizers dont sweep the tracks ? Same in Jiading, track very dirty, in general terms, are tracks not cleaned ???? ED - Tracks are swept but there is so much dust and sand in Bahrain

Friday April 20, 2012 10:39 John Swede

10:39

NewsOnF1:

Vettel on a quick lap

Friday April 20, 2012 10:39 NewsOnF1

10:40

NewsOnF1:

And Vettel goes quickest with a 1:34.311

Friday April 20, 2012 10:40 NewsOnF1

10:41

NewsOnF1:

Perez goes 6th with a 1:35.024

Friday April 20, 2012 10:41 NewsOnF1

10:42

[Comment From Guest Guest : ]

@ John Swede: it's no use trying to clean up the track. The dust is being kicked up by the wind from the desert. Even if you cleaned it twice a day, the track would still be slippery and full of dust.

Friday April 20, 2012 10:42 Guest

10:43

NewsOnF1:

Many drivers are struggling with grip, particularly at turn 10 going into the back straight (support pits)

Friday April 20, 2012 10:43 NewsOnF1

10:43

NewsOnF1:

Vettel about to improve again

Friday April 20, 2012 10:43 NewsOnF1

10:43

NewsOnF1:

A 1:33.877 for Vettel

Friday April 20, 2012 10:43 NewsOnF1

10:44

NewsOnF1:

Webber up into 3rd with a 1:34.792

Friday April 20, 2012 10:44 NewsOnF1

10:44

NewsOnF1:

Alonso in 9th, Massa in 11th

Friday April 20, 2012 10:44 NewsOnF1

10:45

NewsOnF1:

Halfway into the session and the order is: Vettel, Raikkonen, Webber, Grosjean, Hulkenberg, di Resta, Perez, Maldonado, Alonso and Bottas (Williams test driver)

Friday April 20, 2012 10:45 NewsOnF1

10:45

NewsOnF1:

Rosberg takes 3rd with a 1:34.725

Friday April 20, 2012 10:45 NewsOnF1

10:48

NewsOnF1:

Schumacher goes second with a 1:34.483

Friday April 20, 2012 10:48 NewsOnF1

10:48

NewsOnF1:

Rosberg takes second from his teammate with a 1:34.249

Friday April 20, 2012 10:48 NewsOnF1

10:49

NewsOnF1:

Button goes 4th with a 1:34.519

Friday April 20, 2012 10:49 NewsOnF1

10:49

NewsOnF1:

Hamilton has yet to set a time but is on the track

Friday April 20, 2012 10:49 NewsOnF1

10:52

NewsOnF1:

Button goes 3rd with a 1:34.277

Friday April 20, 2012 10:52 NewsOnF1

10:52

NewsOnF1:

But Hamilton jumps into second with a 1:33.933

Friday April 20, 2012 10:52 NewsOnF1

10:52

NewsOnF1:

Pic is the only driver yet to set a time

Friday April 20, 2012 10:52 NewsOnF1

10:54

NewsOnF1:

Hamilton on another quick lap

Friday April 20, 2012 10:54 NewsOnF1

10:54

NewsOnF1:

Pic finally about to set a time

Friday April 20, 2012 10:54 NewsOnF1

10:55

NewsOnF1:

And Hamilton goes quickest with a 1:33.572

Friday April 20, 2012 10:55 NewsOnF1

10:57

[Comment From F1ne F1ne : ]

Does Mercedes' pace look like they may have another podium finish on Sunday? ED - Very hard to tell, they are up there and they will be very strong in qualifying but with the temperature expected to be in the 40's their tyre wear is a concern

Friday April 20, 2012 10:57 F1ne

10:59

NewsOnF1:

Just over 30 minutes to go and the top 10 are: Hamilton, Vettel, Rosberg, Button, Schumacher, Webber, Raikkonen, Grosjean, Hulkenberg and di Resta

Friday April 20, 2012 10:59 NewsOnF1

11:00

NewsOnF1:

Pic goes 21st and ahead of his teammate Glock

Friday April 20, 2012 11:00 NewsOnF1

11:01

NewsOnF1:

It is 11 am local time and the air temperature is at 29 degrees while track temperature is at 39 degrees

Friday April 20, 2012 11:01 NewsOnF1

11:04

NewsOnF1:

Vettel is back on the track

Friday April 20, 2012 11:04 NewsOnF1

11:05

NewsOnF1:

Vettel doesn't improve

Friday April 20, 2012 11:05 NewsOnF1

11:07

NewsOnF1:

di Resta having problems with KERS

Friday April 20, 2012 11:07 NewsOnF1

11:08

NewsOnF1:

di Resta goes wide but recovers

Friday April 20, 2012 11:08 NewsOnF1

11:09

NewsOnF1:

Hulkenberg goes 5th with a 1:34.344

Friday April 20, 2012 11:09 NewsOnF1

11:11

[Comment From John Swede John Swede : ]

Nr.of tyres per race are limited, is the Fri.,practice included in this count ? ED - Yes this year, 11 sets of dry weather tyres, 6 sets of primes and 5 sets of options

Friday April 20, 2012 11:11 John Swede

11:12

[Comment From John Swede John Swede : ]

What teams are using KERS ? ED - All the teams are except for HRT I believe

Friday April 20, 2012 11:12 John Swede

11:13

NewsOnF1:

Button on a quick lap

Friday April 20, 2012 11:13 NewsOnF1

11:14

NewsOnF1:

Most laps so far by di Resta with 20

Friday April 20, 2012 11:14 NewsOnF1

11:16

NewsOnF1:

Button doesn't improve

Friday April 20, 2012 11:16 NewsOnF1

11:17

NewsOnF1:

Alonso on the track, sliding everywhere! No grip, he is 13th at this stage

Friday April 20, 2012 11:17 NewsOnF1

11:18

NewsOnF1:

With just over 10 minutes remaining and the top 10 are: Hamilton, Vettel, Rosberg, Button, Hulkenberg, Schumacher, Webber, Raikkonen, di Resta and Grosjean

Friday April 20, 2012 11:18 NewsOnF1

11:21

NewsOnF1:

di Resta goes onto the softs

Friday April 20, 2012 11:21 NewsOnF1

11:22

NewsOnF1:

di Resta set to improve

Friday April 20, 2012 11:22 NewsOnF1

11:23

NewsOnF1:

di Resta goes 3rd with a 1:34.150

Friday April 20, 2012 11:23 NewsOnF1

11:25

[Comment From F1ne F1ne : ]

Force India seems to have the track figured out. Are the other top teams hiding their true pace? ED - di Resta is on the softs, the others haven't used them yet

Friday April 20, 2012 11:25 F1ne

11:25

NewsOnF1:

Glock spins but recovers, he is 22nd

Friday April 20, 2012 11:25 NewsOnF1

11:26

NewsOnF1:

Hulkenberg goes 6th also on the softs

Friday April 20, 2012 11:26 NewsOnF1

11:28

NewsOnF1:

Hamilton watching the other cars from the pit wall

Friday April 20, 2012 11:28 NewsOnF1

11:29

NewsOnF1:

Final minute

Friday April 20, 2012 11:29 NewsOnF1

11:30

[Comment From Dilip Dilip : ]

Does force india have the real pace to beat sauber & williams in baharain ED - Possibly, all the cars are very close this year so a lot depends on strategy and tyre wear

Friday April 20, 2012 11:30 Dilip

11:30

NewsOnF1:

Session over

Friday April 20, 2012 11:30 NewsOnF1

11:31

NewsOnF1:

Top 10: Hamilton, Vettel, di Resta (softs), Rosberg, Button, Hulkenberg (sots), Schumacher, Webber, Raikkonen and Grosjean

Friday April 20, 2012 11:31 NewsOnF1

11:35

NewsOnF1:

11th to 24th: Perez, Maldonado, Alonso, Bottas (Williams test driver), Massa, Kobayashi, Vergne, Kovalainen, Petrov, Ricciardo, Pic, Glock, de la Rosa and Karthikeyan

Friday April 20, 2012 11:35 NewsOnF1

11:36

NewsOnF1:

Quickest lap was a 1:33.572 by Hamilton, the gap between first and tenth is 1.275 seconds

Friday April 20, 2012 11:36 NewsOnF1

11:37

NewsOnF1:

Most laps by di Resta and Hulkenberg with 26 laps each, least laps by Hamilton and Kovalainen with 11 laps each

Friday April 20, 2012 11:37 NewsOnF1

11:37

NewsOnF1:

Full results shortly