Sports expert Jukka Mildh believes that Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas will be able to challenge his former team in Mercedes’ F1 race in Bahrain. According to Mildh, the race will also see clues as to how successful the F1 series has been in the rule changes.
Micke Suopuro,
Simo Arkko
The Sunday race for the opening weekend of the F1 season starts with an interesting starting point. Ferrarin Charles Leclerc starts off the pole and the reigning champion, Red Bull Max Verstappen from the second box.
Valtteri Bottas the place in the starting grid is at least interesting, as he leaves the sixth square, his former teammate Lewis Hamilton next door.
Bottas recently predicted after the race in an interview with Viaplay that Alfa Romeo would be able to fight the other drivers after the top four.
– The car is good for long hauls. We will certainly be able to fight anyone. Ferrari and Red Bull are maybe a little faster at the moment than the others, but with the others, they can quite well twist, Bottas predicts.
Can Bottas really beat Hamilton? Sports Expert Jukka Mildh close this and other key topics closely during the race.
For these reasons, Bottas can sue Hamilton
– Mercedes is not in the hardest hit. Here’s where Bottas is able to drive from very high points. Ferrari and Red Bull are definitely in a class of their own, Mildh believes.
2. Opportunities for tactics
– The starting screen is good for Bottas. It provides a good opportunity for depot tactics, which Alfa Romeo has not been able to do for a long time. It’s a whole different run from six to twelve.
3. Merits from Mercedes
– I have to remember that Valtteri is a very good driver. When he has a good enough car underneath, he will be able to take the race forward and do a good job. Here you will see his merit from Mercedes times.
These questions are expected to be answered
1. Is there a technical problem with the Bottas race?
Alfa Romeo had problems with the winter tests and practice, as Bottas left the last day of the test due to a technical failure. On Friday, Bottas, on the other hand, didn’t get a single lap during the opening practice, so the reliability of the team is one question mark for the final race.
– Alfa Romeo has had question marks at the start of the season. If the Ferrari engine just stays in the pile, then cars usually last. It’s a multi-threaded thing, Mildh points out.
– Ferrari has done an excellent job in terms of reliability. Red Bull has had little problem either. The reliability of these top teams is far behind, he recalls.
2. Did the F1 series succeed in the rule changes?
The new changes to F1’s rules are intended to make the competitions more even. The changes will make it easier for cars to follow another car. This should make it easier to bypass. On Sunday, we will see for the first time how the changes were successful.
– Can cars really overtake? On the Bahrain line, it is possible. It’s good to see how close the top drivers are able to drive, or is it so that someone gets away and others get in line.
– Due to the new rules, drivers have had to change their driving style over time. For example, Ferrari Carlos Sainz said he has to think a little too much all the time. Who has fitted their driving feel to these cars best is strong.
3. Do you see drama in the top fight?
Ferrari has been slightly ahead of Red Bull in Bahrain. Charles Leclerc has a long way to go to win. Monaco’s only race wins are for the 2019 season.
In return, however, he is the reigning world champion accustomed to winning and known for his ruthless racing style.
– It is certainly interesting to watch the duel between Leclerc and Verstappen. It has a reigning world champion, but also a very hungry opponent from an Italian camp. This is especially interesting now that Hamilton is not involved in the top fight.