The 2023 F1 Season begins in the well lit surrounds of the desert of the Sakhir circuit as world’s best drivers fight it out for glory, and here to predict the winners and losers in advance is our 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix Preview.
The Gurgler’s 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix Preview brings some thoughts on the race itself, a few bold predictions here and there, a few barely interesting stats and best bets.
Essentially a quick summary of what a casual F1 fan needs in the shortest possible time.
Sakhir is a pretty standard modern Tilke track, with long straights and some technical places which provide a little challenge. Could be worse, it’s not the 2010 full version which added more twists and turns. And we’re not talking the soap opera kind. Although, could be better, we’d take the short cut Indy track anytime. DRS and first GP of the year ambition will liven it up.
2023 Bahrain Grand Prix Preview – Race Rating
The Gurgler does like to use some obscure drivers in our Race previews and report, so who better to use than Teo Fabi to determine a race rating system.
So before each race we give a rating out of ten for four key category that are loosely based on each letter of Teo Fabi’s surname. Don’t know who Teo Fabi is? You should.
FAST? – 7/10 – Got a few long straights and fast corners, and DRS should make the cars seem a little faster. It’s no Spa, nor is it a Monaco.
ACTION? – 9/10 – Being the first race, there’s always the anticipation and excitement of the season getting underway which will mark GPs that could otherwise be rated as Boring-as-<Insert Swear>. Early season nerves could see a few tangles, especially on lap one. Throw in some unreliability and the action potential is high.
BIG HISTORY? – 6/10 – It’s no Johnny-Come-Lately, nor is it a much-loved race circled in the calendar. One can’t recall too many big historic moments at the circuit, except for the Romain Grosjean fireball. But as the first GP of the season it has significance.
INCLEMENT WEATHER? – 0.5/10 – It’s in a desert, so pretty safe to say no rain. We have left it at 0.5 because there could be a sand storm or the lights go out mid-race.
RACE RATING 59% – Not a bad track, but is helped big time by being the first race.
The Gurgler will always put their money where their mouth is, and let history decide how much credit our mouth should take.
Here are a few of our bold predictions ahead of the race.
Charles Leclerc to snatch pole from Max Verstappen. Ferrari finish 1-2.
Fernando Alonso to qualify 4th. And DNF.
The Alpine drivers to start their tumultuous season by clashing at the first corner, just broken wings and trust this time.
Yuki Tsunoda will do something silly in the race after being outqualified by his new team mate.
Points for Nico Hulkenberg.
Valtteri Bottas to finish 5th.
Want to know if your favourite driver for this weekend is a master of the track or the track is a master of them? Here then are some barely interesting facts and stats.
