Following the titanic race long fight last time out in Malaysia, battle is set to resume between Will Hoskins and Karl Beckenbauer here in Bahrain. The Franklin and Liverpool driver's share the front row of the grid, both fairly clear of their respective teammates and nearly four tenths ahead of shock third placed Nathaniel Powers. Franklin Franklin look to have made significant strides even since Malaysia, with their car taking pole position with Hoskins by six hundredths of a second from the Liverpool of Beckenbauer which seemed all conquering in the first two qualifying sessions. The Franklin has always been fast over a race distance but this improvement in one lap pace makes it a formidable car, and with Enrique Ruiz also in fifth, this team look very likely to retain at least one of their crowns. Liverpool Liverpool Grand Prix should be looking rosy after two Grand Prix but a combination of bad luck, errors of judgement and some magnificent driving by Will Hoskins means they are only level in the World Constructors Championship. They were out in front but now they have fallen back slightly which is a concern as they try to improve their car - I believe we have seen already the problems of last year arising again, they can't cope with the demands of juggling this years and next years development. Downton Downton were a revelation in qualifying with one of their cars. They seem to have put a lot of effort in improving one lap pace and it has certainly paid off. Combined with a car that was already decent over long runs this is a very promising time for the British team. Powers in third is incredible, while Thunder in 19th is a bit more disappointing but he has already said he made mistakes which cost him a higher placing. Encouraging signs from this team. Lucas Lucas are another team making improvements. They've latched onto the back of the front qualifying runners and after an impressive showing in Malaysia they will surely build on fourth with Carson Davenport. Regi Abott in twenty-second is not particularly good but he is new to the car and the team so we should see him get better over his three race stint with the purple machines. Fun Fun look very good at the moment. They are consistently quick with both drivers, and I'd be tempted to say they are third or fourth fastest in qualifying trim, while their race pace in Malaysia looked good at times as well. Dwyer in sixth and Agostino in ninth is a good opportunity and as team principal Diceman has said, a double points finish is the aim. Westwood At the start of the year I would have put Westwood as fourth fastest behind Liverpool, Franklin and Rossi but as the season progresses they've been swamped by Downton and Fun along with Lucas. Kinnumen did well in eighth but the car lacks a little bit of pace compared to its form in pre season testing. Keith Boston took twelfth which is good for him so points aren't out of the question. Rossi Scuderia Rossi are a concern for me. They started as arguably the second fastest team on the grid but by Australia had been overtaken by Franklin. In Malaysia they lacked a little pace and now they are tenth and fourteenth in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix. They certainly have the quality to improve but with a good six or seven teams capable of top ten in qualifying it looks possible that they could soon find themselves at the back of the midfield. Ingram Ingram are looking good for a solid race here. They've improved dramatically on last year and the results they are getting prove that. The car is solid in qualifying and the race and one successful development aimed in the right area of the car could well take them into the upper points paying positions. Team 23 I'm tempted to say Team 23 have written off this season to try and get a head start for next years new regulations. Money isn't a problem for this team so I would imagine they are spending their entire budget for each race development on next years car. They will be the fastest team at the start of next year without a doubt so they've just got to bear with the pain of this year as a rebuilding process. Peugeot The French manufacturer are not going to be impressed with this car at all. It isn't very quick over one lap although it is slightly better over a race distance. I don't understand why they've removed Ellington from the car when he is clearly the best driver they have, it simply makes things harder for the team to get a hold on where they are with the car. Force Australia This Aussie team have done brilliantly to get where they are. They've managed to get into the back of the midfield immediately and I'm sure success is just around the corner. The management seems sensible and they've got some good drivers in the team. I'm looking forward to seeing how they progress. Warrior The Greek based outfit are slightly behind Force Australia but are still very much in the mix. They've done brilliantly so far and they have unearthed a real talent in Michal Kubat. Another team I am looking forward to seeing moving forward. The Grid
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