Bahrain Grand Prix Talking Points

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes restored order last week in China, as the Englishman dominated another race to claim his 35^th career victory.

This week, we head to Bahrain: the scene of that epic battle between Hamilton and Nico Rosberg last season.

If we can get anywhere near the brilliance of that race, then we are set for a thrilling afternoon/night in Sakhir.

Here are three major talking points ahead of the race:

How will Rosberg react?

Nico Rosberg’s ambitious plan of trying to ruffle Lewis Hamilton’s feathers backfired spectacularly last weekend as he accused the defending champion of deliberately backing him into the Ferrari’s behind.

If Hamilton was guilty of such an offence, he has every right to do so and it only made Rosberg out to be desperate team-mate who has no ideas of how to beat Hamilton.

With Ferrari breathing down Mercedes’ necks again, and it seems they will be doing so all season, then there is a possibility that Mercedes may have to favour one of their drivers over another at some stage this season in order to secure the Constructors Championship.

With the current standing as they are, Rosberg will be forced to be Hamilton’s deputy whether he likes it or not if he doesn’t start beating him soon. It’s pivotal he breaks that duck sooner rather than later.

Ferrari can be contenders to win

Okay, so Ferrari weren’t as competitive in the cooler conditions of Chinas they were in the sweltering Malaysia but they were still within striking distance if things went wrong up front.

In the day time, Bahrain is right up their street but the race was moved to night last season and the conditions will be even cooler than they were in Shanghai.

However, before you start to pencil in a Mercedes 1-2 in your prediction charts, consider this: Bahrain has the most abrasive track surface in Formula 1.

With Ferrari’s advantage of tyre wear, they will fancy their chances of under-cutting Mercedes and winning again.

Can Red Bull have a clean weekend?

Red Bull Christian Horner has had a permanent scowl on his face this season, and who can blame him?

The former world champions are having a miserable 2015. Not only is their car below standard, but it breaks down in some way or form every weekend.

If engines aren’t going bang then brakes are overheating and drivers are being crashed into. With a clean weekend, they might be able to compete with Williams this weekend and return a smile to their boss’s face.

✅ Check out more posts with related topics: