HomeFormula 1Why The Bahrain GP Is Poised To Be More...

Why The Bahrain GP Is Poised To Be More Interesting Than You Think?

- Advertisement -

Perhaps it may not be an unjust thing to suggest that the same way an exhilarating sport expects its keen followers to be patient and accept whatever the sport offers, the fans too expect the sport to serve up constant thrills. But frankly speaking, the way things have transpired in the fastest-form of single-seater racing in the past half a decade, it can be said that what fans have witnessed is the constant outpour of a one-dimensional narrative, not necessarily nail-biting thrills.

Brilliant or Boring Mercedes?

One may call it the dominant surge of Mercedes, inarguably speaking the best team in the sport or a level of consistency that’s made Formula 1 rather predictable, but there’s hardly a surprise when a race-weekend passes by without a Mercedes win.

- Advertisement -

Last year, a season truncated by the COVID 19 pandemic saw the ebullient front-row winners and record-smashers clinch thirteen in seventeen wins. This, one mustn’t forget, included six grand slams for the team, with a Mercedes driver taking pole, setting the fastest lap and clinching victory. 

And where one speaks of the Bahrain Grand Prix of 2020, it wasn’t too surprising to note Sir Lewis Hamilton staking claim in two of the biggest draws that race weekend out of three- including the battle for the pole position and the race victory.

Max fires the opening salvo

This year however, thanks to a weekend checkered by splendid Red Bull pace (evident thus far), it appears that there’s finally a change in the pecking order, even as it may not exactly prompt many a smile among the Mercedes fans.

In a Saturday qualifying blitzed by Max Verstappen, who clinched a maiden pole here at the Sakhir, there finally emerged a driver who’s denied Mercedes the first blood.

And while it may certainly have numbed Mercedes fans, who measure in millions around the globe, it may no longer be rational to level Lewis Hamilton’s ascertainment of their 2021 car as a light-hearted remark.

For a while now, Hamilton and Mercedes initially sandbagging during the pre-season testing and the initial rounds of the free-practice have inspired hopes from those optimistic about a downturn in Mercedes fortunes. Alas, the end results have only fetched disappointment for those who parlay with clairvoyance.

Is a change on the cards this weekend?

“We are no longer the quickest car,” exclaimed Hamilton after witnessing Verstappen’s Red Bull sparkle the pre-season testing, the man clearly labeled the closest threat to his 2021 championship goals.

It’s no longer armchair speculation to suggest that Verstappen might be able to topple Hamilton’s reign; Hamilton himself has conceded that the Red Bulls are gunning for glory. 

What could be better in that aspect to see an absolute gun-slinging battle between two of the fastest cars on the grid.

And while Max Verstappen converts his maiden pole at Bahrain into his first win at the venue is something that can only be revealed by the next few hours, a thing can be said for certain.  

The Bulls are gunning for glory and their confidence will be sky-rockling having finally drawn level with the W12’s pace, having stacked the machine in the best-possible position from which to win the season-opener.

Moreover, a Verstappen win over Hamilton may perhaps be the best thing that the sport can offer, with all due respect to the all-time great British racing icon.

While it holds the power to renew one’s passion towards a sport that’s seen an intrepid inclination toward Mercedes wins, it will also replace the yawn-inducing repeat outcomes with vigor.

Forget not the fact that a defeat to Verstappen could well spur Lewis Hamilton to mount a roaring fightback in the subsequent races that could well throw the season into an out and out duel between two pace spearheads.

And did anyone tell you that no other driver other than Nico Rosberg (2nd in Bahrain GP qualifying 2016) has gone on to win the race starting from second on the grid (in well over past half a decade)?

For the 2021 Bahrain GP, Hamilton begins from second on the grid! 

Follow us on Facebook for more sports news & updates

- Advertisement -
Dev Tyagi
Dev Tyagi
Dravid believer, admirer of - the square drive, Drew Barrymore, Germany, Finland, Electric Mobility, simplicity and the power of the written word! Absolutely admire contributing to KyroSports

15 Highly Educated Cricketers Of All Time

Cricket is a game of passion and dedication. A sport in which one involves themselves in camps and practice since early childhood. Due to...

Do we often under-appreciate Andy Flower? What’s his legacy?

There's a hint of sadness in noting that Zimbabwe has never been a dominant power in world cricket. But nothing could be sadder than...

How Come UFC Fighters Have Cauliflower Ears But Boxers Don’t?

The UFC has come a long way since its early days, wherein the fights seemed like modern-day gladiators due to its brutality and inconsistent...

Why are more and more MotoGP riders using the Noson nasal dilator?

Introduction MotoGP riders or athletes are physically fit and healthy individuals and their muscles are continuously functioning and used during the performance. As a fan...

5 spinners who can be India’s potential finger-spinners

The Indian cricket team has always been proud of its ability to produce world-class batsmen and similarly potent spinners. Though in recent times, the...

IPL 2018: The beautiful Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur

Being seated in the Sawai Mansingh stadium brings a different world, a world of difference away from the palpable excitement of watching truly India’s...

The astonishing decline of Mario Balotelli

There was a time when Mario Balotelli was on top of the world.  The Italian talisman had scored two goals in the Euro 2012 semi-finals,...

Top 5 Left Wingers In The World, Based On 2019-20 Season

Owing to the fact that football has evolved a lot since its inception and the tactics have changed a lot, the role of wingers...

What can be expected from the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix?

Heat in the air and heat inside the car- that's been the story of the Azerbaijan Grand prix. As F1 parks itself at Baku...

How Suresh Raina Batted India Into The Finals of 2011 World Cup

Its been 9 years, since India won the Cricket World Cup defeating Sri Lanka on 2 April, 2011. The images and visuals of...

Big change for India Women’s cricket as BCCI looks to finalise bowling coach soon

We are not even at the halfway stage of the 2018 cricketing season. It clearly seems there's no stopping India's women's cricket team. The...

IPL 2018: The best from the West Indies

When one of nature's treacherous attacks on mankind- earthquakes- strike, their impact is measured on Richter's scale. When West Indians strike in a tournament...

Age Fraud in Indian Cricket: Are players really to be blamed?

There have been times while watching a cricket match when we tend to hear commentators comment on cricketers’ age. We as fans have many...

5 famous players to play for both Leeds United and Liverpool

Leeds United are back in the Premier League after 16 years and will play Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday in their very first match...

Southampton XI if they didn’t sell their star players

Southampton, a club located in the south coast of England, have one of the most renowned youth academies in the Premier League.  Despite producing class...

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -