I’m quite sure that I wasn’t the only person looking forward to the start of a new Grand Prix season. Looking back on the first race weekend in Bahrein, I’m left with a feeling that can only be described by: “What the fuck!?” I remember the spectacular start of the Formula One season last year in Melbourne. The race was great to watch, a lot of action going on on the track. Never mind the absolutely stunning performance of Brawn GP.

This year I watched in dismay as I saw cars go round and round. Nothing happened. This isn’t racing! Who in their right minds thought it was a good idea to ban refuelling from pit stops? I saw a full grid of race cars, but no race. After the first lap everyone was settled and that was it really. Everyone was nursing their car: save the tires, save the fuel, save the engine. Again, what the fuck? They should be racing each other, not wet-nurse their car! The only good thing that can be said of the race is that my beloved Ferrari team scored a 1-2 victory.

The big question now is if the fault is in the new rules or the ridiculous Bahrein circuit. The changes made to the track didn’t seem to come out well. An excruciatingly long lap without any serious possibilities for overtaking except the end of the straight. I’m willing to except part of the blame is on the circuit. But looking at the fact that lap times in the race were 8,5 seconds slower at the start of the Grand Prix then they were in qualifying, I have a shrewd suspicion the rules will have to be changed into something more appealing. Fast.

As it goes, Formula One hasn’t been known for their spectacular races in the last few years and it’s actually a shock to me that they’ve managed to make it even less exciting. So far the hype of having so many (former) world champions on the grid this season has not been lived up to!

I’ve got to hand it to the BBC though, their pre-show was more interesting than the race! Well done to Jake Humphrey, Eddy Jordan and David Coulthard. They were a pleasure to watch as always. I wish they had gotten rid of Jonathan Legard though. It’s so annoying to have him yell something at the top of his lungs, interrupting Martin Brundle who is giving an interesting explanation on something.

I already dread the next Grand Prix in Melbourne, Australia. I can only hope it won’t be such a poor performance as what we had to witness in the Bahrein GP.