When you look at the map of the [tag]Bahrain International Circuit[/tag], it is clearly a long straight and high braking corner circuit. This means the old new phrase is back and that is ‘[tag]traction control[/tag] ban’. These high braking corners and extreme acceleration just might bite some drivers if they lack good grip and if the balance is off.

The track itself reminds me a little of Melbourne without the high speed corners that threw some drivers onto the grass a few weeks ago. Downforce should be a little less than Melbourne and clean aerodynamics at a premium because of 3 quite long straights.

Brakes are another big word for [tag]Bahrain[/tag] again because of the many high braking areas. Looking at the map again and watching the lap with Nick Heidfeld video, it is easy to see braking from over 300km/hr in high gear down to at least second gear 3 times per lap. Between turn 4 and turn 13 is quite a twisty curvy section where their brakes are used almost as much as the gas pedal.

Since this circuit is surrounded by desert sand, grip is an issue in Bahrain with sand always sticking to the tires. Although their is a lot of high braking areas into turns, the lack of high speed turns and a track surface not as abrasive as Malaysia, teams are talking about using only soft and medium compound tires like they did in Melbourne.

[tag]Ferrari[/tag] believe they have a little edge over [tag]McLaren[/tag] this year because of their test session in February. On the other hand, [tag]BMW-Sauber[/tag] are a little worried about wind and the high braking corners. The car is a good car, but is very twitchy as [tag]Robert Kubica says[/tag].

The weather forcast for this weekend in Bahrain has a high of 27c is for Thursday, with some cloud, followed by 30 degrees on Friday and 28 on Saturday. Race day will be sunny and hot, with the same high of 29 degrees as last year.

Take a ride around Bahrain with [tag]Nick Heidfeld[/tag] on a 2007 qualifying lap.

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