Bahrain is one of the tracks where drivers make little difference and machinery plays a bigger part. Again Massa would look like the man to back for pole but with some burnt fingers last week his odds no longer represent any value (currently 3.4). He set pole last year and this is another one of his good tracks.

I’m taking a different approach this weekend as I believe the pole sitter will not be the best driver or the best car, but the one who goes for the lowest fuel load. It will be far closer between Ferrari and McLaren than in Malaysia and I have taken a punt on Hamilton for pole.

His odds on Betfair have been equal to the best bookies odds available (4.3). It just so happens one of the bookies offering 4.3 is Betdirect, who are one of the few I don’t have an account with. For good measure there also offering a free £50 matched bet. I may lay off the liability on Betfair if the odds drop at any point or I may let it run.

A big factor in my choice is the tyres which will be used this year compared to last. They will use a slighter softer tyre (Softs/Medium’s instead of Medium/Hard’s) and McLaren can sometimes make better use of these. Ferrari find it harder to get good one lap pace out of the softer tyres. Also looking at last years fuel loads, Lewis opted for the lowest to give him a good grid slot (2nd) and keep a faster race pace Kimi behind him. With Ferrari looking like they could be quicker this weekend I see no reason why he wouldn’t try the same again.

Of course there’s also BMW…….