By Gustavo Castilho
Drivers ‘runners-up and constructors’ third place shake up Bahrain GP.
After an almost all-European season, Formula 1 changes the scene to open a series of three races in the Middle East. The Bahrain GP was already on the calendar, but the race, scheduled originally for April, needed to be changed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The race that should have happened in the spring will be held in the fall. The race follows the normal pattern of the place, starting at dusk since, even though it is autumn, temperatures are still high. This will be the first of two races in a row that will be held at the circuit, which will feature different routes. One of them never was part of a Formula 1 race.
If, on the one hand, we already have the title of Mercedes constructors and that of drivers with Lewis Hamilton guaranteed, on the other hand, the dispute for the other places continues with the engines roaring. In the constructors, four teams separated by only 24 points, led the fiercest fight of the season. If Racing Point, McLaren, and Renault fought point by point for third place, now we also have Ferrari in this head to head match. In the Turkish stage, the Italian team managed to score 27 points and entered a fight that few imagined. In third at the moment, Racing Point has 154 points, against 148 for McLaren, 136 for Renault, and 130 for Ferrari.
The balance goes beyond the little difference in points, as each team showed favoritism in certain aspects. Racing Point has better equipment but has not been able to convert that into better results. McLaren and Renault performed well in the races. Against the tide, Ferrari came and developed the car’s adjustment well, which made it possible to recover the terrain throughout the year.
With 240 points added, Red Bull has the second position of the constructors practically secured and also seeks the vice-championship in the pilot’s duel. Only 27 points separate Valtteri Bottas from Mercedes from Max Verstappen from Red Bull. The Bahrain GP will take place next Sunday at 11:10 am, BrasÃlia time. The track has 5,412 meters and the winner will need to complete 57 laps. This will be the 15th stage of the season.
