After Japan, System 1 doesn’t cease and will likely be again on monitor this weekend, however 8,000 kilometers away, in Sakhir, within the semi-desert archipelago of Bahrain, positioned within the Persian Gulf.
It’s a major shift on a number of ranges, not solely as a result of the temperatures will likely be utterly totally different, going from the highs beneath 20°C and rain on Sunday morning to about 30°C anticipated for the upcoming weekend, but in addition because of the monitor layouts, which have totally different traits.
Suzuka favors medium-to-high-speed corners, which is why having a exact and efficient entrance finish that instills confidence within the driver is essential. In distinction, Sakhir options many slower zones the place a secure rear finish is critical to keep away from sliding the tires and growing their put on. These two variables will play a key position in managing tires for the fourth race of the season. Paradoxically, regardless of the utterly totally different layouts, each Suzuka and Bahrain will function completely totally different tire compounds, the toughest of Pirelli’s 2025 vary, specifically C1 for Laborious, C2 for Medium, and C3 for Smooth.
Though there are not any high-speed corners with sturdy lateral forces that stress the tires as in Japan, the choice to convey such laborious compounds to Bahrain is said to the traits of the asphalt, probably the most aggressive in your entire calendar. The Sakhir monitor floor has by no means been renewed and continues to be the identical as when the primary Grand Prix was held again in 2004.
All groups will begin from a reasonably stable base, as the one preseason check session of 2025 passed off at the Sakhir circuit within the final week of February. Due to the three days of testing, the groups can have loads of information, though this yr’s exams had been affected by rain and cooler temperatures than common.
Through the 24 hours of complete testing, 3,897 laps had been accomplished, equaling 21,090.564 kilometers. The chosen tire compounds had been nearly completely in focus: the C3 compound was used for 67.17% of the laps, adopted by C2 (20.88%) and C1 (9.26%); the C4 compound had a marginal presence with 101 laps, and three laps had been accomplished with the Intermediates.
It’s vital to notice that the beginning minimal pressures have been elevated in comparison with the 2024 race (+1 psi on the entrance axle and +2 psi on the rear axle) in addition to in comparison with the February exams, by 0.5 psi on every axle, with the fine-tuning primarily based on the info collected throughout that point. Consequently, the minimal pressures prescribed for this occasion will likely be 23 psi on the entrance and 21 psi on the rear.
The monitor is among the most difficult on the calendar for tires, particularly throughout braking and traction phases. The combination used for the asphalt stays very abrasive, though it supplies good grip. Put on itself isn’t an issue, however what actually makes a distinction in Bahrain is thermal degradation, which typically results in a two-stop race and, above all, permits for strategic variation with undercuts.
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