F1: Wind Direction Big Issue In Bahrain

Formula 1

F1: Wind Direction Big Issue In Bahrain - Whitmarsh

McLaren’s Martin Whitmarsh calls Friday practice 'tricky day'...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted April 20, 2012 Manana (BHR)

Martin Whitmarsh says McLaren is working hard to improve its car. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

McLaren’s Martin Whitmarsh says that McLaren is in good shape for the Bahrain GP, but pointed out that changing wind direction can make life very difficult as the team attempts to set the car up.

Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button were fourth and sixth in the afternoon session.

“I think it’s been a tricky day,” said McLaren’s Martin Whitmarsh. “The wind changed direction. I think from about half way through that [afternoon] session there was a tailwind through turns four, five, six and seven, which made it quite tricky for the drivers. I think we weren’t happy with where we were in terms of grip, generally.

“But that’s what Friday is about. It’s about learning how to set the car up for this particular circuit and these particular conditions. I think the wind is going to be quite significant. It often is here. If you recall it is an island where the wind can change quite dramatically from 10 o’clock in the morning until midday and then drop off in the afternoon, so with all the other challenges of selection of top gear for the race and for qualifying wind direction is going to quite an interesting challenge, and if you get that right I think you’ll be in good shape.

“So, overall, I think, we’ve got some reasonable data and the trick is to put that to good effect and make sure we can dial in and have a competitive car tomorrow.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 27th season as a racing journalist in 2011. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.

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