De La Rosa: “The brakes are fundamental in Bahrain”

Sakhir is a typical modern circuit, with long straights and very challenging corners that arrive after violent decelerations. For this reason, finding the right set-up for the car in Bahrain is not at all simple, in fact you need to have a good top speed to overtake but, at the same time, also a good aerodynamic load to tackle the slow corners. Balancing the brakes also requires particular attention. The most challenging points in this respect are certainly turns 9 and 10, at the entrance to which there is the risk of locking the rear wheels.

“On long straights” – says Scuderia Ferrari test driver Pedro De La Rosa, to www.ferrari.com – “you have to start concentrating on how best to approach the next corner, to ensure that you protect the tires as much as possible rear. Thanks to this tactic I managed to set the record lap in the 2005 race."

Pedro then underlines the importance of the stresses that the drivers undergo on this track: “As in all circuits that are very hard on the braking system, driving in Bahrain also involves a considerable effort for the drivers. The alternation of long straights and slow corners constitutes a very demanding mix: just think that in Turn 1 you experience a force deceleration of around 5 g", continues the Scuderia Ferrari test driver.

Fuel consumption is also a critical factor on this track. In fact, we are in full acceleration for a long time and with only 100 kilograms of fuel on board it will be important to carefully manage consumption. “The key, as always, is managing to balance the use of petrol with aerodynamic efficiency.” Finally the climate: "The best from a physical point of view for a pilot: very hot, but also extremely dry".