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Formula One
F1: Controversy Over New Refueling Ban Begins
The new rule on no refueling during a race has had its first test...
SPEED Staff / GMM  |  Posted March 14, 2010   Sakhir (BHR)
The Bahrain GP was criticized by many as 'boring. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
As the F1 circus is dismantled in Bahrain on Sunday night, talks were already underway to address the what some say is the sport's new problem.

The debut of the refueling ban became the subject of harsh criticism, after some observers slammed a less than exciting 49 laps of the Sakhir circuit.

"The race is quite straightforward. You start on heavy fuel, you do one stop and then you ... it's pretty much a train the whole way," said Lewis Hamilton, who finished third.

Worse still in Bahrain is that the first and only pit stops took place very early in the race because the leading cars all qualified on Bridgestone's faster soft tire.

For fear of this very consequence, some teams pushed in the pre-season period for a second pit stop to be mandatory, but the proposal was voted down.

"I think we have to re-examine that," FOTA chairman Martin Whitmarsh said on BBC television after the race.

Another solution is in Bridgestone's hands, with the problem exacerbated this weekend because the most suitable qualifying tire was still good enough to take the leading cars to an acceptable single pit stop window.

The result was that most of the race strategies were the same.

"Today was not the best show, we know that and we have all got to work together to improve it," added Whitmarsh.

Michael Schumacher also does not believe F1's new no-refueling era is going to spice up the sport.

The German, who completed his F1 return in Bahrain by finishing in sixth place behind his teammate Nico Rosberg, believes the 49-lap race was an indication of how the 2010 season is going to unfold.

"It's the start and then just sort of 'go your pace' and not do mistakes," the seven time world champion told the BBC.

"Overtaking is basically impossible, other than if somebody makes a mistake -- that's the action we are going to have with unfortunately this kind of environment of race strategy," Schumacher added.

Race winner Fernando Alonso added: "The qualifying and the starts are maybe the two key points this year.

"After the first corner more or less the positions will be settled," said the Spaniard.

But quadruple world champion and Bahrain steward Alain Prost believes F1 will benefit from the refueling ban, which was last in place when he won his final title in 1993.

"The drivers have never experimented with that before, so they are a bit confused, even the teams," said the Frenchman. "They need to get used to it. It may take some races but it will be better."

Indeed, Jenson Button acknowledged that he had nursed one of his sets of tires too much, while Felipe Massa said he was forced to conserve fuel for 30 laps.

Prost is confident the current generation of drivers will adjust.

"They have got used to a sprint -- in free practice, qualifying, race. And having 60kg of fuel or 10kg makes no difference," he said.

"When you start with 160kg you have to think differently, and they are not used to that," said the 55-year-old.

"After a few races, I am sure the good drivers, the top drivers, will like it."

Fellow Grand Prix veteran David Coulthard agreed that F1's new formula needs "time to settle down".

Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali also urged caution.

"We should wait. I can understand his (Alonso's) opinion, but let's first wait and see how the races develop.

"There could be other situations so I would only want to give my opinion after a few races. We should wait to see a few more scenarios before we make a judgment about the way it really is," added the Italian.

RESULTS 2010 FORMULA 1 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX

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