Seems like Renault’s the team to beat this season. The results speak for themselves, 2 win out of 2 races. They’ve really managed to come up with a superb complete package for this season. Though I’m singing Renault praises, that’s not because they gave me their bike and that I’m about to jump ship to support them. I’m still very much a McLaren fan, and I’m glad at least there are teams trying to give Ferrari and that overpaid German a run for their money.

McLaren came up with quite a good car too, evident with the best race lap record set by Raikkonen just 2 weeks ago. However, it seems that there are still issues to iron out, especially with the car setup to suit the 1 lap qualifying. McLaren is still hampered by the lack of performance during these qualifying sessions that is so different than those sessions a few seasons back. It didn’t help with Montoya stupidly got himself injured over tennis… let’s hope that Pedro de la Rosa can step up the plate and help deliver some vital points for the Silver Arrows in this race.

As for Toyota, they really springed a big surprise to the F1 fans around the world. Out of nowhere, they improved tremendously to become one of the top 5 contenders and now could even vie for a maiden grand prix victory real soon. This Japanese team started from scratch a couple of seasons back and now they’re comfortably well within the top 5, I’m impressed. Too bad, earlier Ralf Schumacher screwed it up during his qualifying session and dropped so far back down the grid, that there’s gonna be nothing much he can salvage in tomorrow’s second qualifying session. Be on the lookout for Jarno Trulli though, he’s really the man to watch this weekend to try and snatch victory away from the boys in blue. As for Ralf, I’d like to tell the Toyota team boss to start checking out some drivers in the paddock to replace the younger Schumi. He’s almost past his due and can never get out of his brother’s shadows.

Ferrari, Ferrari, Ferrari… had it so bad the last 2 races, that they had to force the introduction of the F2005 car for this race. Embarassingly, they’re short of a gearbox for Rubens’ car. Didn’t help that Rubens just screwed up his qualifying session earlier with a big right front wheel lockup at Turn 1. Schumi managed to prove that the new car is so much better than the modified F2004, but I don’t think it’s invincible. Nope, the car this year seems pretty ordinary to me. It’s about time I guess, the glory days of Ferrari may soon be over. New powers are emerging on the racetrack, that’s undeniable!

Oh yeah, Datuk Michelle Yeoh was spotted in Bahrain at the Ferrari team garage. In case you didn’t know, she’s the fiancee of the Ferrari team boss, Jean Todt (yeah, that short grumpy looking fella). Now, if the wife of a Datuk is called Datin, what’s the title for Jean Todt when they finally walk down the aisle? smiley

Also, I think Michelle Yeoh is now a better Malaysian F1 figure than Alex Yoong. You’re forgiven if you have no idea who’s Alex Yoong, doesn’t matter really. Well, if you really want to know, just check out 8tv’s broadcast of F1 races this season, and you can see him there. Yeah, sitting on a couch, not driving an F1 car. Why is Michelle Yeoh a better F1 figure? Well, at least she’s in the Ferrari camp! smiley smiley smiley