Renault’s Ricciardo, Ocon looking forward to racing in Bahrain ‘heat’

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Renault F1 team drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon may be in for a surprise when they race in Bahrain this week, as they expect to enjoy some desert heat but may instead be met by cooler temperatures and possibly even some rain.

The Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix has never taken place this late in the year, potentially making for a completely different experience both in and out of the car for the top flight’s stars in the Sakhir desert.

To add to that, the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications’ Meteorological Directorate forecasts moderately cloudy days and medium rain between Friday and Sunday, when racing will be held at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).

Temperatures are also expected to be as low as 20 degrees C, and as high as 29 degrees C during the day.

Speaking ahead of this week- end’s events, Ricciardo said: “I’m looking forward to being back in the heat in Bahrain!

“I know we’ve been to some awesome tracks across Europe recently and whilst they’ve all been fun for various reasons, the weather has been too cold for me! I much prefer the heat and it’s still pretty warm in Bahrain during the evening, which is great.”

Ocon added: “It’s certainly a challenge for the cars and drivers racing in the heat. It’s going to be a little more conventional to have the tyres working back to normal and then it’s up to us to do the best on car set-up.”

Both Ricciardo and Ocon are looking forward to the start of action on Friday and the element of racing at night, while being hopeful for some good results this weekend in the 15th round of the 2020 Formula 1 season.

“Two of the three practice sessions are during the day when it’s really hot and both qualifying and the race are in the evening when the circuit is a lot cooler; this does make preparing for this race a challenge and adapting to different setps is important,” said Ricciardo.

Ocon commented: “Bahrain brings some great opportunities for overtaking and it’s also usually a great race for strategy, so let’s see what happens this weekend.

“Turn 1 is the best overtaking spot and Turn 4 is also pretty good. Overall, it’s a cool track, so I’m really looking forward to going there.”

Renault are currently fighting with Racing Point, McLaren and Ferrari for the right to claim as high as third place on the constructors’ championship standings, and will need a solid points haul at the Bahrain Grand Prix, with only two rounds remaining following this weekend.

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