[Official] Rate the race: Bahrain Grand Prix

[nicanary]

Originally Posted by fourWheelDrift

If you remember I voiced concern after Benedict did it last time, not because he did a bad job (he didn't) but because it obviously opened the door for all sort of 'A' listers who are utterly ignorant of and irrelevant to F1 being asked to do it. We didn't have to wait long for my worst fears to be realised.

I didn't see it (the interviews) but Johnson is well-known as a petrolhead. What did he do wrong?

[maximus]

Originally Posted by fourWheelDrift

If you remember I voiced concern after Benedict did it last time, not because he did a bad job (he didn't) but because it obviously opened the door for all sort of 'A' listers who are utterly ignorant of and irrelevant to F1 being asked to do it. We didn't have to wait long for my worst fears to be realised.

You are aware that Brian Johnson is a HUGE petrolhead aren't you?

[fourWheelDrift]

Originally Posted by maximus

You are aware that Brian Johnson is a HUGE petrolhead aren't you?

Yes, and he certainly came across as a fan but he didn't exactly ask any intelligent questions did he, his contribution was limited to "did you enjoy being part of an exciting race" and "gee 900 races". I'd much rather they went back to past F1 champions or drivers, ex team owners ... etc which up till this year seemed to be the norm.

[Teretonga]

The team mate battles were exceptional and gave the race some real colour.

The sort of thing I can remember from some of the classic races of the 80's and 90's.

Not a perfect race and probably not a classic but very, very, good. What F1 should be all about.

I did feel the safety car after the Sauber roll over undid a lot of peoples strategy's and messed some things up a bit even if it did provide some overtaking

[Teretonga]

Originally Posted by Adam43

Dreadful, all that is wrong with F1. Technically uninteresting and above all quiet cars. Tedious racing. Ugly noses. A fuel efficiency formula, with gimmicks and rubbish tyres. Pay drivers everywhere. What is to like.

No zero so I will vote 1.

Surely you are taking a few beers....

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by fourWheelDrift

If you remember I voiced concern after Benedict did it last time, not because he did a bad job (he didn't) but because it obviously opened the door for all sort of 'A' listers who are utterly ignorant of and irrelevant to F1 being asked to do it. We didn't have to wait long for my worst fears to be realised.

He raced in the 2012 Daytona 24hrs, so I don't think he's completely ignorant about motorsport.

[Teretonga]

I used to read transcripts of the post race interviews avidly but then they became so bland and trivial nothing meaningful was being communicated so I haven't listened to or watched them in a thinking way at all for a few years now.

Bahrain was so much of a refreshing tonic I had no interest in what followed on the podium interview. I learn far more meaningful things by turning the sound down and watching the body language of various people......

[fourWheelDrift]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

He raced in the 2012 Daytona 24hrs, so I don't think he's completely ignorant about motorsport.

That certainly demonstrates his F1 experience and knowledge

To be fair on the organisers I guess the big problem in places like Malaysia and Bahrain is that with no F1 heritage finding someone suitable who isn't closely involved with one of the teams must be difficult, maybe that's why the last two have been, to me at least, such odd choices. We'll see who we get when they come back to Europe.

[Sodemo]

I gave it a 7, it probably deserves higher, but the venue is rubbish (in my opinion).

[Tucky]

9 for me. Only reason it's not a ten is so that there's the hope of a race even better than today!

[canamman]

My tens are reserved for the whole podium battling for the win on the last laps, which is rare.

[fast95pony]

10 for me. Best race in a while.

[JamesH]

Originally Posted by fourWheelDrift

That certainly demonstrates his F1 experience and knowledge

Hmm. Of course, it does give him more experience that the majority of people posting here. As well as the majority of people in the world.

Someone who has competed at a relatively high level in any sort of motorsport would be a good choice and is used to media exposure. So, on the whole, I see nothing wrong with the choice.

Of course, there are many many people who work in F1 or who are vastly knowledgeable about the subject who would be utterly appalling at it.

[cobraRed01]

How would you rate the race If the full course caution didn't bunch everyone up at the end?

[Lancsbreaker]

Gave it a 9 for being generally exciting throughout the field.....not sure if the Safety Car had a beneficial effect in heightening the drama........my feeling is that Hamilton would have breezed it without the SC.....

But best race I've seen in a long time!

[aki13]

I would have given it 8.5 actually, but I gave it 8/10.

Personally in my time watching F1 I rarely gave 10/10. Only 5 races I can think of that I have given a 10 for different reasons. My only 10/10 races have been Brazil 2008 (due to the drama), 2005 Suzuka (epic passing and great racing) 2003 British GP (There was non DRS passing all day in that race absolutely crazy), 1999 European GP( lead changes, carnage and drama and a Minardi point) and 1992 in Monaco (Cause of that finish)

9 normally is my normal best rating.

8 due to it still being slightly sad to see Mercedes so far ahead. Great Race though

[Mekola]

I put an 8. The exciting finale of the race, the adamant win of Hamilton despite Rosberg rivalry, Pérez 3rd, Ricciardo an amazing 4th. The best race of the season at the moment.

[Knowlesy]

As I was watching that race I just kept thinking "this is rubbish, I can't hear the cars".












Nah, not really. A 9 from me, tyres were slightly more dubious than they have been this season.

But what a battle up front. The perfect antidote to years of sterile Red Bull single car domination.

[Catingaround]

9. Great Race!

I reserve 10 for a last lap pass ftw, but wow, what a race this week, more of that please.

[Lancsbreaker]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

As I was watching that race I just kept thinking "this is rubbish, I can't hear the cars".

Apropos of that (tongue in cheek, I know) comment - I watched the race on a mate's Sky service - and to me, the TV mixers had upped the volume of the engine on the in-car stuff, presumably to counter complaints about not hearing the engine.......but it tended to drown out the commentators voices! Just watched the Beeb highlights and it didn't seem so bad - so whether this is something within the broadcaster's remit, I'm not sure.....

[Born Racer]

Superb. Stunning to watch. Joyous. Packed with racing.

10/10

[TrapezeArtist]

I gave it a 9.

It could have been a 10, but some of the aggressive defending was a little bit too aggressive. I suspect that is a natural consequence of a point-and-squirt track that has been painted onto a giant car park though. Trouble is, when it gives us entertainment like that, it's hard to argue against.

I've not idea who Brian Johnson is. Some sort of sleb presumably, and therefore totally uninteresting to me.

One last little grumble: the BBC cut-down version had me very confused because drivers would gain or lose lots of positions (presumably due to a pit-stop) and it wasn't apparent why. This has always been a problem with BBC highlights since the year Dot: the editor wants to make a "seamless" presentation and I want the commentator to say "Now we've just jumped forward five laps .....".

[Knowlesy]

Brian Johnson is from AC/DC and is an absolute star.

Whether he should be interviewing drivers is another matter! Still, get used to this celeb style because Bernie probably thinks it's what everybody wants.

[TrapezeArtist]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Brian Johnson is from AC/DC and is ...

... totally uninteresting to me.

[MarkG]

Worthy of a 10 for me. The conditions and track design helped provide good racing but it does make a nice change to see drivers having to control the cars round corners as opposed to too much downforce doing most of the cornering for them. Yes, the Mercs are dominant, but you can't say they spoil the show when both their drivers are in the race.
Looking forward to Monaco, Eau Rouge & Blanchimont.