Ferrari erred on tyre strategy in Bahrain

The Ferrari drivers had one set apiece, while Fernando Alonso had two. That helped the Spaniard pass Felipe Massa at the start and also gave him the pace to be right with Michael Schumacher when the German made his final stop.

"I think the thing that was weak for us in Bahrain was not having new tyres in the race," said Brawn.

"We probably used too many new tyres in practice, and looking back I would have liked to have more new tyres in the race. We only had one set, and I think that hurt us a bit.

"Having said that, this was the reason we were on pole, because we used more tyres. So it's finding a balance."

Brawn says the team are trying harder to save extra sets, so it will be fascinating to see whether the Ferraris have to use new tyres in second qualifying or again go for two in the third session.

"Here we'll try to preserve another set," Brawn continued. "Michael [Schumacher] did this whole day (on Friday) on one set, so we'll try and hang onto a set extra, at least for Michael. We'll have to see how it goes.

"Tyres are quite consistent here, so we've got to judge where we are in that second qualifying session to decide if we need to go for a new set. We obviously need them for the last one. Whether we need them for the second qualifying session, we'll wait and see.

"It depends on the track, but it looks like if you use a new set and then you go out on them used, they take a [backwards] step.

"Not only do you have the first lap, but once you've stopped using them, you put them in blankets, take them out again, you don't pick up exactly where you left, you appear to take a step in performance.

"Whereas if you start with a new set, you have a higher level. I think it will depend on the track, it will depend on the compounds you've got, it will depend on other factors. But that's why I think the new sets are really quite an asset."

Brawn also admitted that Ferrari didn't run their qualifying session as effectively as they could have in Bahrain.

In the end, both Honda drivers snuck in an extra lap - 13 to 12 - compared to Ferrari, despite both making two stops for tyres.

"We had a problem with Felipe's car," Brawn explained. "He didn't get out quickly enough. I can't remember what happened with Michael, but he didn't seem to get in the queue in the right place, and just got caught out on the lap.

"We need to do as many laps as we can in qualifying."