McLaren's Lewis Hamilton is happy with the delay. "I am not too unhappy about the world championship only starting in Australia, because it gives us more time," the 2008 World Champion said. And added, "We have some catching up to do and not a lot of time until the season starts."
Mercedes Sport Director Norbert Haug was quoted saying by a German magazine when asked about the extra time, "At this point before the start of a season, all the teams are doing things literally at the very last minute." But there is no time for radical design changes, and the German admitted all teams just have 'a little bit more air'.
Replacement driver Heidfeld about Renault's chances this year, "I sadly have to disappoint everyone who is thinking that we are top of the grid now because of the fastest lap of Robert [Kubica] in Valencia and mine in Jerez. Certainly we work hard to chance this." Which also means Renault has extra time to get rid of their current gremlins which have hampered the development of the car.
And interestingly enough, the winner of last year's Constructors' and Drivers' championship Red Bull, and according to insiders currently the team with the fasted car, the cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix could help them as well. Team principal Horner, "With its long straights, Bahrain would not have been our showcase race." Melbourne is an altogether different circuit, with tight corners where acceleration is more important than straight-line speed, so the Australian circuit will certainly suit the Red Bull team better.
The Williams team cannot be happy with the cancellation, British newspapers have reported Williams Grand Prix Holdings have lowered the price of it shares for their upcoming stock flotation. The price range has been decreased from 24-29 Euro to 25-27 Euro a share as a result of the Middle East crisis.
A few people were not happy with the way Formula One's governing body, the FIA, has handled the situation in Bahrain. Or should we say, did not address the situation at all. FIA President Jean Todt has been remarkably silent. He was in Ireland and when asked by reporters about the situation, he only managed to squeeze out a few words and said he 'always tried not to overreact on breaking stories', and added there was no reason for 'unnecessary concerns'.
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