I arrived in Bahrain this morning and went straight to work. Most of the circus arrived Tuesday or Wednesday to acclimatize, but a) I wanted my off season to last as long as possible and b) I am too tight to pay for an extra night in the hotel.
Last year was pretty slick when I arrived - I was met by a man with a paddle with my name on and escorted away in my own chauffered Yukon. This year, it was less impressive. There were a row of BIC minibuses outside the airport, and the drivers didn't seem keen to go anywhere. After I prodded them for about 20 minutes they grudgingly gave me a lift... to the wrong hotel.
I was taken to the Al Manzir 1, but was meant to be at Al Manzir 2. They don't do street names here, just PO Boxes. That's fine, if you're a postman.
The hotel doesn't have a very inspiring view, but it's got huge windows nevertheless. The place is about five times the size of a regular hotel room, with its own dining room and everything, done up with chandeliers like some kind of boudoir. There's no economy of space here.
My sitting room
I finally got to the track just after noon. We had the big press conference - four world champions plus Massa. It would be nice to see him join that club this year.
I then sat in on interviews with Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel.
The paddock this evening
Mercedes had a drinks reception tonight, and I ended up talking cars with Tonio Liuzzi. He's driving a C36AMG at the moment, but is eying up the E63 Coupe when it comes off the production line. Apparently Schumi is getting the first one.
He reckons the Force India is going to be qualifying between eighth and 14th this year, so behind the top four, mixing it with Sauber and Toro Rosso.
I had dinner with Karun Chandhok and Bruno Senna. Karun is a bit apprehensive about racing a car he's never driven before, but both these guys are on top form. I think I'll have dinner down at HRT a lot this year - great guys.
Apparently Alain Prost is on the stewards panel this race, the FIA having voted in favour of using the expertise and judgment of those who really know what's going on in the cockpit. This is great news. Unless, I put it to Bruno, your name is Senna. We had a bit of a laugh about that. His manager, Chris Goodwin, suggested Nelson Piquet could be on the panel at the next one!
Last year was pretty slick when I arrived - I was met by a man with a paddle with my name on and escorted away in my own chauffered Yukon. This year, it was less impressive. There were a row of BIC minibuses outside the airport, and the drivers didn't seem keen to go anywhere. After I prodded them for about 20 minutes they grudgingly gave me a lift... to the wrong hotel.
I was taken to the Al Manzir 1, but was meant to be at Al Manzir 2. They don't do street names here, just PO Boxes. That's fine, if you're a postman.
The hotel doesn't have a very inspiring view, but it's got huge windows nevertheless. The place is about five times the size of a regular hotel room, with its own dining room and everything, done up with chandeliers like some kind of boudoir. There's no economy of space here.
My sitting room
I finally got to the track just after noon. We had the big press conference - four world champions plus Massa. It would be nice to see him join that club this year.
I then sat in on interviews with Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel.
The paddock this evening
Mercedes had a drinks reception tonight, and I ended up talking cars with Tonio Liuzzi. He's driving a C36AMG at the moment, but is eying up the E63 Coupe when it comes off the production line. Apparently Schumi is getting the first one.
He reckons the Force India is going to be qualifying between eighth and 14th this year, so behind the top four, mixing it with Sauber and Toro Rosso.
I had dinner with Karun Chandhok and Bruno Senna. Karun is a bit apprehensive about racing a car he's never driven before, but both these guys are on top form. I think I'll have dinner down at HRT a lot this year - great guys.
Apparently Alain Prost is on the stewards panel this race, the FIA having voted in favour of using the expertise and judgment of those who really know what's going on in the cockpit. This is great news. Unless, I put it to Bruno, your name is Senna. We had a bit of a laugh about that. His manager, Chris Goodwin, suggested Nelson Piquet could be on the panel at the next one!
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