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The opening round of the 2018 Formula One Season, was not a heated battle between liveries and engines from beginning to end. However, the 2018 Australian Grand Prix was entertaining in its own unique way.
From a blistering double start to, a depressing double wheel-gun failure, Haas F1 team were the main stars of the race. While their pace from pre-season testing is clearly something to be taken seriously this year, Haas didn't show the fruits of their labour.
Pitstop errors ruined both Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean's races, which also threw a wrench in the works for Mercedes and Red Bull. Both Fernando Alonso and more obviously, Sebastian Vettel benefited, with the latter winning the opening race.
Will we see similar craziness under the lights in Bahrain? Are Mercedes going to bounce back like they did last season, and will it be Hamilton or will it be Bottas? Will Haas or any other team give a good fight to Ferrari and Mercedes? We certainly don't know, but that won't stop us from guessing.
#1 A Haas on The Podium
Yes, Haas F1's last Grand Prix ended absolutely terribly, but with that start, is it really out of the question to see either Magnussen or Grosjean on the podium with the potential that Haas have been showing?
It does seem unlikely for a podium to come so soon, especially as only Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes and a solitary Williams, were on the podium in 2018.
However, the pace that both cars showed in Australia is promising, and their potential is only bolstered by the contrasting driving styles of the aggressive Magnussen and tactical Grosjean, giving Haas two very clear strategies to sneak their way onto the podium in Bahrain.
Let's just hope Haas can get their technical difficulties in order and give their drivers the chance to get the best out of this car. Otherwise, the wheels might just fall off this entire Haas operation in Bahrain.
#2 Bottas on Pole
Valtteri Bottas did not have the best start to the season as a crash in Q3, sent him all the way to P15 on the grid.
With the pressure of performing well looming over his head, Bottas needs to prove himself as a Championship worthy talent. Where better to find his stride for this season, than in Bahrain. The very place where he took his first pole position in Formula One last year.
Bottas had that race in his hands last year if it wasn't for a time-temperature problem that allowed Vettel and Hamilton to overtake him.
Whether something similar happens this year isn't visible yet, but if Bottas manages to keep his Mercedes on the road in Bahrain, it isn't out of the question to see the Finn on pole ahead of his teammate and both Ferraris.
#3 Turn 1 chaos for LeClerc
The first turn of Bahrain's Formula One circuit has always been extremely prone to incidents and there's no reason why this year's race will be any different. Although the 2017 Grand Prix didn't have any sort of explosive flip such as Esteban Gutierrez's flip in 2014, it did involve altercations between Lance Stroll and Carlos Sainz that forced them both out of the race.
Why do I think it will be LeClerc? Well for one, he's racing for Sauber. Which, as seen in the picture above, have the tendency to leave the ground in Bahrain. Furthermore, he's new to Formula 1 this year. Therefore it's likely that he will be extremely jumpy, especially since he won't be able to embark on a massive overtaking spree like last year in Formula 2. The Monegasque driver no doubt has the potential for him to do well in Bahrain, but this year doesn't look the most promising.
#4 Red Bull's own Duel in The Desert
The Bahrain Grand Prix has been rather inconsistent in its entertainment value over the years, but as a hopeful and optimistic fan, there's nothing I want to see more than a recreation of 2014. To Formula 1 fans, the 2014 Bahrain Grand Prix brings back images of Lewis Hamilton & Nico Rosberg battling it out to the end for the victory, in what is lovingly known as the 'Duel In The Desert.'
The circuit in Bahrain does have a few places for overtaking, and in recent years, even in an era where it is hard to follow cars, we have seen great battles take place here. Therefore I hope and I believe that this year we'll see a desert duel between Ricciardo and Verstappen who often find themselves near the same position on the grid.
With the Ferraris & Mercedes likely dividing each other on the grid, I would happily watch Max & Daniel take advantage of the set up in Bahrain and fight it out, maybe not even for P1, to see who is the best bull under the lights.
#5 Vettel takes two in a row
Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton traded wins during the first few races of last season, with Vettel winning last years Bahrain Grand Prix which was also the 3rd round of 2017. This year, although Mercedes are the favourite in every race, I don't see them getting to the title without adversity. Bahrain is one of those circuits where the fastest car doesn't always have its way as demonstrated last year.
Even without starting on pole, Vettel won in Australia and Bahrain last year, and if Ferrari are going to put up a challenge, Bahrain will be a major indicator. Hopefully, it won't just be due to woes on Mercedes' end like in Australia, or even like in Bahrain last year. Although this is very far in advance and we have no idea what the conditions will be like in Bahrain, I see another "Walk like an Egyptian" dance coming, very soon.
