The McLaren MP4-27 should be competitive in Bahrain

For the first time in its history, the Bahrain Grand Prix will see F1 cars equipped with KERS and DRS – as well as Pirelli tires – and this should make for a great race for the spectators according to Martin Whitmarsh: The 2012 (Bahrain) race will be the first time F1 races at Sakhir with KERS combined with DRS, and I think this combination, along with a well-placed DRS zone on the pit straight, should allow for an exciting new race.

The director of the McLaren team hopes to leave Bahrain in as good a position as they arrive – that is, leading both championships: This race will be the last of the four outside Europe for what constitutes the opening phase of the 2012 World Championship. Vodafone McLaren Mercedes approaches this race leading the drivers’ championship and the constructors’ championship, and we want to leave Bahrain having consolidated our positions in both championships. We are determined to be consistent and to fight for both titles, and we are in a good position to achieve that.

Whitmarsh therefore expects his drivers to fight at the front this weekend on the Sakhir circuit in order to score big points for the team: « This weekend, we will aim for big points for both our drivers – we are fully aware that it is a long championship and that it is just as important to score points consistently as it is to win races. I believe it is this consistency that will determine the outcome of these two championships. »

Jenson Button has already won in Bahrain and he thinks the MP4-27 will be competitive at Sakhir, which should allow him to fight at the front of the pack: «I won this race in 2009 and I have the feeling that we have a car that should suit the characteristics of the track well. The circuit is a good balance between tricky, technical, low-speed corners and high-speed changes – especially the two sections behind the pits, which are very satisfying when you can take them correctly. Our car should be good here.»

Lewis Hamilton agrees with his teammate and he has confidence in his car: «I think we are heading to Bahrain with a well-balanced car in all areas, and I hope to achieve a good result.»

The 2008 world champion appreciates the Sakhir track even though he has never won there: Unlike Jenson, I have never won in Bahrain – even though I have had some great races there in the past. The circuit is a typically modern layout, with lots of run-off areas and different corners. You can brake really late into turns 1, 4, and 14, which is a very technical final corner.

Hamilton is a striker and a driver who can be spectacular during overtakes, and Bahrain offers the opportunity to overtake, which is interesting according to him: «There are still a few opportunities to overtake. Turn 1 is a chance to brake late, and it also gives you a chance to overtake a driver by forcing them to defend on the inside, which puts them in a bad position for the exit and offers you the opportunity to pass on the inside of turn 2, there’s also turn 4 at the end of the straight. »

This season, F1 will return to the original layout of the Sakhir circuit, unlike in 2010 when the circuit designed for endurance was used. Jenson Button is delighted and hopes to deliver a strong performance there: « I think the original layout of the circuit, which does not include the ‘endurance’ loop used during the only race in 2010, is better for Formula 1 – it’s very positive that we’re returning to it this year. It makes the approach to turns 5, 6, and 7 – the quick direction changes – more challenging as you arrive much faster. Hopefully, we can achieve a good result again to strengthen our chances for the championship. »