Formula 1\u2019s midfield is so closely matched that points are hard to come by, and any top-10 finish counts as a real achievement.<\/p>\n
So when factors such as rain throw a curve ball and create opportunities, it\u2019s essential for those teams and their drivers to get everything right and take full advantage.<\/p>\n
For Carlos Sainz<\/a>, Alex Albon<\/a> and Esteban Ocon<\/a> the early stages of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia<\/a> promised much as they made the right tyre calls and did the job on track to charge into the top eight. However, in the end, all three were to be left disappointed.<\/p>\n Ocon was one of the drivers who hit problems at the original start attempt, but having been given a second chance he and Haas<\/a> got it right by opting for intermediates for the start as the team split its two cars. Williams<\/a> also made the optimum call by putting both drivers on inters.<\/p>\n On the first lap it was almost like a video game for all three, as they picked their way past those ahead who had started on slicks. At the end of the lap Sainz was P6 (from 13th), Albon P7 (from 18th) and Ocon P8 (from 17th). The Haas driver was flying, and he soon made his way past both FW48s to claim P6.<\/p>\n At that stage \u2013 and with the slick runners falling far behind \u2013 it was looking good for all three, but the fun was not to last.<\/p>\n Albon was running behind Sainz when the first Safety Car sent the field into the pits for slicks, and he lost places while double-stacked behind his team mate.<\/p>\n