The Bahrain Grand Prix weekend began amid discussion over whether the new rules had spoiled the racing. The grand prix provided the best answer to that, as Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg put on a thrilling battle for the lead while an equally exciting race unfolded behind them.
Other talking points of the weekend included a growing debate over whether the new rules are forcing drivers to lose too much weight.
Here’s how the Bahrain Grand Prix unfolded on Twitter.
Thursday
Guess what happened last night in Bahrain.
It rained. Heavily. Actually, not just rain, there was thunder & lightning – the works….
— Caterham F1 Team (@CaterhamF1) April 3, 2014
#ALO14 #Maestro pic.twitter.com/0czE6gjrdK
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) April 3, 2014
Another long straight it is pic.twitter.com/og5jYpnDzB
— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) April 3, 2014
Installation check done pic.twitter.com/sQFIzYgAg7
— carloscorell (@carloscorell) April 3, 2014
The subject of F1 driver weight was a major talking point during the weekend. Adrian Sutil revealed he would attempt the race without a drinks bottle to save weight, while other drivers resisted calls to bring forward a planned increase in the minimum weight limit.
Pretty disgusted with Massa. All I've heard all his career is 'all I want is equality' but he fights rule changes to help heavier drivers
— Byron Young (@byronf1) April 3, 2014
Perhaps unfair to single out Massa. I gather there are other jockey-sized drivers who feel similarly. Ridiculous #f1
— Byron Young (@byronf1) April 3, 2014
Jean-Eric Vergne later revealed he had been hospitalised between the first two races of the season after he pushed his weight-saving too far:
The circuit looks great under the lights #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/00Pat2dI1O
— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) April 3, 2014
It’s an emptying Bahrain paddock as night-time descends on the @BAH_Int_Circuit. #thatsawrap #bringontomorrow pic.twitter.com/znaWBqHWbw
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) April 3, 2014
https://twitter.com/mrpdjones/status/451766544276918272
Friday
Good morning from the @BAH_Int_Circuit, where the sun has got his hat on… #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/IgJTNcZjl7
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) April 4, 2014
Very rarely do I get REALLY angry but having a banana and apple banned today as I got to the track…what the *&£&? #IDIOTS #F1rulesaremad
— Jennie Gow (@JennieGow) April 4, 2014
GP2 cars currently on track and they are louder than those in F1.
— Ian Parkes (@ianparkesf1) April 4, 2014
Big Williams welcome to our new Head of Vehicle Performance today: Rob Smedley reports for duty #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/5gVf6hcIXW
— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) April 4, 2014
F1 mentality: Let's make these immense changes that no one will like and convince them that it's the future… #thesenewcarsarehorrible
— Gianmarco Raimondo (@Racemondo) April 4, 2014
Robin Frijns made his practice debut for Caterham.
So, Robin, how are you feeling about FP1?
"Ok"
— Caterham F1 Team (@CaterhamF1) April 4, 2014
Frijns drove Kamui Kobayashi’s car during the session and his team mate was kind enough to clean up after him.
A driver's work is never done @kamui_kobayashi pic.twitter.com/2OwgSxlusg
— Caterham F1 Team (@CaterhamF1) April 4, 2014
Rosberg: "Lots of annoying sounds on the radio." Surely he doesn't mean his engineer? #F1 @MercedesAMGF1
— RaceFans Live (@racefanslive) April 4, 2014
Vergne still unhappy with his engine: "I think that was my worst session for a long time. I can never finish a lap with the energy I have."
— RaceFans Live (@racefanslive) April 4, 2014
#BahrainGP FP1 – 14 minutes left: Currently #DK26 on P8 and #JEV25 on P12. #GOTOROROSSO #TORO150 pic.twitter.com/NGGdIAe7pB
— Visa Cash App RB F1 Team (@visacashapprb) April 4, 2014
Pit to Kevin: "Nice job, we've got what we need to, and that's the end of our #FP1 session." #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/07YzLH3shL
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) April 4, 2014
No point comparing these times with the testing times: even the supersoft was used in testing here and the cars were very different #F1
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) April 4, 2014
#FerrariBAHGP #Kimi7 pic.twitter.com/tFRuClET5S
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) April 4, 2014
Pastor reports good improvements since this morning's aero-focussed evaluations pic.twitter.com/2C10wboZL8
— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) April 4, 2014
At least they didn't hit each other this time… RT @f1fanaticlive: Kvyat: "Alonso blocked me."
"OK Danny, OK.2 #F1— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) April 4, 2014
Lotus had a laugh at Ferrari’s expense:
Softs (on all four wheels) for @RGrosjean and his next run #CantGetBetterThanAKwikFitFitter pic.twitter.com/S6JLdLdqN5
— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) April 4, 2014
Matassa: "SOC 9"
Kvyat: "What?"
"SOC 9"
"I don't understand anything."
"State of Charge 9" #F1— RaceFans Live (@racefanslive) April 4, 2014
Komatsu: "Clutch six. Box for start practice."
Grosjean: "Is it really worth it?"
"Yes, we've got a new setting for second gear." #F1— RaceFans Live (@racefanslive) April 4, 2014
https://twitter.com/willbuxton/status/452094843221966849
A lengthy press conference for technical staff included some sharp disagreement over the merit of the 2014 engine rules.
You-know-who weighs in with another "you people" question. #priceless
— Byron Young (@byronf1) April 4, 2014
Been out on track tonight. I can assure you that F1 cars remain awe inspiring to watch. Super fast, dramatic, and often a real handful
— Martin Brundle (@MBrundleF1) April 4, 2014
Saturday
@willbuxton yes mate ! Was nice ;) see you later
— Jules_Bianchi (@Jules_Bianchi) April 5, 2014
The stewards stepped in to prevent other drivers falling foul of the same kerb as Kimi Raikkonen (and Pastor Maldonado).
#GP2 team radio confirms the exit kerb has been lowered at turn four, where Raikkonen and Maldonado got some air yesterday. #F1
— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) April 5, 2014
Guy in a blue shirt walking across paddock. Familiar but can't place him ? Oh yes, I know FIA President Jean Todt #f1 #
— Byron Young (@byronf1) April 5, 2014
Wandered out into paddock during FP3 and could hear birdsong. Really rather pleasant.
— Alan Baldwin (@alanbaldwinf1) April 5, 2014
The final practice session was hit by a temporary television blackout, while some teams lost their telemetry.
Baena to Ericsson: "We had to box because we lost telemetry and there was double yellow on track." #F1
— RaceFans Live (@racefanslive) April 5, 2014
Stella to Alonso: "OK Fernando we have an issue on both cars with telemetry. We need to come back, do a reset and go out again." #F1
— RaceFans Live (@racefanslive) April 5, 2014
FOM has got pictures back, had been lost for almost ten minutes. #F1
— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) April 5, 2014
Sector one: Rosberg 29.578, Hamilton 44.716! That's pole for Rosberg! #F1
— RaceFans Live (@racefanslive) April 5, 2014
https://twitter.com/LewisHamilton/status/452535701993975808
Massive congrats 2 @svandoorne for Winning his first ever GP2 race! Good job fella, looking forward to seeing you in action tomorrow. #Stoff
— Jenson Button (@JensonButton) April 5, 2014
Sunday
Merc front row for Bahrain, turbo power train noise rich and throaty. We hope for big team Merc fight today pic.twitter.com/fWC5K9RfEk
— Tony Jardine (@tony_jardine) April 6, 2014
https://twitter.com/F1Photographer/status/452789447570911232
Great race so far. Proof Montezemolo, Ecclestone and the other whingers should button it and let the season unfold with the new rules. #F1
— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) April 6, 2014
How much satisfaction Massa must feel overtaking the guy who replaced him at Ferrari in his Williams. #F1
— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) April 6, 2014
Hulkenberg: "Did you copy that?"
Lambiase: "Yeah there's not much we can do."
Hulkenberg: "Talk to Charlie, it's pretty obvious." #F1— RaceFans Live (@racefanslive) April 6, 2014
Unbelievable! @nico_rosberg takes the lead but @LewisHamilton snatches it back yet again! This is just too good!! #F1 #RaisingTheBahr
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) April 6, 2014
Brilliant racing between the @MercedesAMGF1 drivers. And massive respect to the team for allowing them to go on like this for so long. #F1
— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) April 6, 2014
RADIO: "Someone tell me this sport is boring!!" @nico_rosberg #F1
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) April 6, 2014
Incidentally, there will be an English language translation of Brian Johnson's podium interview available in the media centre.
— Sean Kelly (@virtualstatman) April 6, 2014
Once freed from their timid strategists the drivers raced heroically in Bahrain. Rosberg summed it up best: "A great day for the sport."
— Gerald Donaldson – F1 Writer (@f1speedreader) April 6, 2014
Was a good old GP that…
— Mark Webber (@AussieGrit) April 6, 2014
https://twitter.com/robdob20/status/452865201701154816
https://twitter.com/66laps/status/452909258469023744
The sound in F1 is gone, but the fighting in this race was just awesome to watch! Great race by @LewisHamilton #epic
— Pål Varhaug (@varhaug) April 6, 2014
https://twitter.com/willbuxton/status/452924851896852480
Just saw the F1 race reply, wow, awesome racing. Looked like @FormulaFordGB racing.
— David Brabham (@brabsracer) April 6, 2014
That was a pimpin good time
— Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo) April 6, 2014
https://twitter.com/michaelpatrizi/status/452955039590404096
https://twitter.com/EstebanGtz/status/453104893423656960
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2014 Bahrain Grand Prix
- Hamilton wins Driver of the Weekend again
- Thrilling Bahrain GP gets best rating since 2012 finale
- 2014 Bahrain Grand Prix team radio transcript
- Top ten pictures from the 2014 Bahrain Grand Prix
- 2014 Bahrain Grand Prix weekend in Tweets
James (@iamjamm)
8th April 2014, 11:43
I don’t understand ByronF1’s tweet about the “you people” question… Does he have a personal gripe with someone?
Girts (@girts)
8th April 2014, 11:52
Matassa: “SOC 9”
Kvyat: “What?”
“SOC 9”
“I don’t understand anything.”
“Stop leaving your dirty socks lying around the garage, it’s already the 9th sock we’ve found this week, AND IT’S DRIVING US MAD!!!”
Ivan (@wpinrui)
8th April 2014, 13:23
@girts Hahahahaha! :D
Ben Needham (@ben-n)
8th April 2014, 11:59
I’ve got to admit to being really impressed with Max Chilton so far this year. It’s not by luck that he’s still finishing every race. I know this is Formula One and not “the hare and the tortoise” (ie: slow and steady will not win the race!) but for Marussia he is perfect at the moment amidst all the unreliability. He may be unspectacular, but he’s certainly reliable and I wouldn’t bet against him grabbing a point at some stage in the season. His finishes alone this year have put his team ahead of Caterham (long way to go yet!) and he’s closing the gap to Jules Bianchi as well, who is clearly the quicker of the two.
The tweet above shows that he seems to be a very nice guy as well. Just because he’s never going to be World Champion or even win a race; and isn’t necessarily in the sport on the merit of his speed, doesn’t mean he’s not doing a very good job.
Deej92 (@deej92)
8th April 2014, 14:00
Agreed.
ForzaAlanRabbit (@jojobudgie)
8th April 2014, 20:05
+1
matt90 (@matt90)
8th April 2014, 11:59
Am I being blind or was there no such tweet?
Bradley Downton (@bradley13)
8th April 2014, 12:19
@matt90 – There is, that caption is just above the wrong tweet. Look two further down to the one from Lotus that says:
matt90 (@matt90)
9th April 2014, 10:37
@bradley13 Did I completely miss something this weekend where Ferrari didn’t fit all of the same tyres or something?
Hamilfan (@hamilfan)
8th April 2014, 14:10
Now we know how Chilton gets votes for driver of the week ;-) .
Look, Ferrari have the upforce ( sorry should say lift ;-) ) !! Kimi raikkonen had to curb his run on the kerb !
Breno (@austus)
8th April 2014, 16:19
Who let Vin Diesel drive the F14 T?
dennis (@dennis)
8th April 2014, 17:56
Too much torque must be Ferrari’s problem… :P
Wesley (@)
8th April 2014, 21:50
So,both the Ferrari boys managed to get front wheels off the track over the race weekend.Bonus points for Kimi for doing it in his Ferrari!
Bullfrog (@bullfrog)
8th April 2014, 22:03
Alonso must have just gone over the turn 4 kerb on his bike when that was taken.