Bahrain is set to be another interesting GP weekend. Mclaren and Ferrari are likely to be locked in another intense battle over the whole GP weekend. Post Australia people were thinking that Ferrari could end up cruising this season like in 2002 and 2004 but that mclaren have clearly made big gains and after that win in Sepang Ferrari now that they are going to have to fight hard if they are to get back to the top step this weekend.

Ferrari were very quick in pre-season testing here in Bahrain and this flowing track does suit the car's long wheelbase but mclaren have come on since then and are likely to bring furthur improvements here so overall you have to say that it is too close to call but if anything pace wise I would just put Ferrari ahead, it didn't go to plan in Sepang but it is still a great chance. Driver wise it definitely goes to mclaren at the moment, the mclaren drivers performed faultlessly in Sepang, the Ferrari drivers need to up their game this weekend after poor pace and mistakes from Massa cost Ferrari the chance to really battle mclaren in Sepang, Massa will be trying his upmost to get a result for his championship which could well force him off the track again or in a battle with Raikkonen with will bring the team order issue back into debate as Raikkonen is ahead in the championship and could Hamilton cause his team mate more headaches and rock the F1 world even furthur, he has the race craft, the great turn 1 skills and lot of pace, the number 2 drivers will certainly have a say in which team wins on Sunday. All four of these drivers are going to be close and another magical first corner could be on the cards.

Mclaren are also leading tactics wise at the moment and if mclaren can match them on pace then unless Ferrari improve tactically this is another factor in mclaren's favour. Radio communication has also been a problem for both teams at one point or another this season. Could these gremlins return and sway the result one way or the other?

Mclaren and Ferrari are clearly a long way ahead of the others, behind I feel that Williams and BMW will be in close company and Rosberg will be hoping to repeat his debut of last season and his great pace so far this year and Kubica in contrast will be hoping that he can get to the flag in a good position which Lady Luck has denied him so far in 2007 and Heidfeld will be hungry again to prove that he is still needed in the team in 2008 with rumours that he could be pushed aside to let Vettel in. Renault could also join the equation, they had problems in malaysia in quali but this track may suit them better and they are striving hard to get better use of the bridgestones so don't expect them to out of the top 10 again.

After these 3 teams I don't expect the order to change too much, toyota and Red Bull look like the best teams after this and it won't be till Spain until we know what we can expect of them during the bulk of the season. Honda are still likely to struggle with Super Aguri just behind them. Torro Rosso and Spyker aren't showing signs of making a gigantic leap forward anytime soon. In Spyker's case they will just be happy to reach the flag.

So to conclude I think the Ferrari/mclaren battle will hinge on the start again but even in this era of F1 racing overtaking is a real possibility at Bahrain as they are a couple of big braking points where out-braking your opponent can be done, Button in particularly demonstrated this on his two brilliant moves on Juan Pablo Montoya. I for one can't predict who will end up on top this weekend despite only two teams likely to contest the victory all four drivers are capable of delivering again.

But with Alonso's recent good form at that track with impressive wins in 2005 and 2006 I am going to back him to deliver the hat-trick along with the fact that Ferrari are clearly missing Ross Brawn and Mclaren showed their tactical brains are Sound in Sepang.

Roll on the weekend, its going to be fascinating!!!!