Daniel Ricciardo led the first practice session for the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix, while Max Verstappen, the current Formula 1 world champion, only managed the sixth fastest time. The session provided an initial glimpse of the teams’ performance for the race weekend, but it was difficult to draw definitive conclusions due to varied race plans and tire usage.
During the early part of the session, the 20 drivers ran on the medium tires (C2) from Pirelli and completed performance laps. This allowed for a more accurate comparison between the teams. The order of the drivers on the medium tires was as follows:
1. Verstappen
2. Russell
3. Perez
4. Hamilton
5. Alonso
6. Leclerc
7. Sainz
8. Norris
9. Stroll
10. Ricciardo
11. Tsunoda
12. Albon
13. Bottas
14. Piastri
15. Ocon
16. Sargeant
17. Zhou
18. Gasly
19. Magnussen
20. Hulkenberg
Based on this tire comparison, the provisional order of pure pace for the cars was as follows:
1. Red Bull
2. Mercedes (+0.2s)
3. Aston Martin (+0.4s)
4. Ferrari (+0.5s)
5. McLaren (+1.0s)
6. RB (+1.1s)
7. Williams (+1.3s)
8. Sauber (+1.4s)
9. Alpine (+1.6s)
10. Haas (+4.4s)
These initial results suggest that Mercedes and Aston Martin may be more competitive than expected during testing, while Ferrari and McLaren may be slightly less competitive. However, the Haas team seemed focused on race runs with a full tank and may be overlooked for now.
In the second half of the session, the teams’ race plans diverged. Only Red Bull, McLaren, and Sauber used the softer tires (C3). The order with the soft tires was as follows:
1. Ricciardo
2. Norris
3. Piastri
4. Tsunoda
5. Bottas
6. Zhou
This allowed Ricciardo to set the fastest lap of the session. It was particularly interesting to see how competitive Red Bull was with the soft tires compared to McLaren, which seemed more challenging to drive in low-speed corners. This raises the question of whether Red Bull can pose a real threat to McLaren on a circuit that has historically been weaker for McLaren.
The other seven teams and 14 drivers made more attempts on the medium tires throughout the session. The subsequent order on the medium tires was as follows:
1. Alonso
2. Verstappen
3. Russell
4. Leclerc
5. Hamilton
6. Sainz
7. Perez
8. Albon
9. Stroll
10. Sargeant
11. Ocon
12. Gasly
13. Magnussen
14. Hulkenberg
Based on this tire comparison, the order of the cars was as follows:
1. Aston Martin
2. Red Bull (+0.1s)
3. Mercedes (+0.1s)
4. Ferrari (+0.1s)
5. Williams (+0.4s)
6. Alpine (+1.0s)
7. Haas (+4.3s)
This result is especially promising for Aston Martin and Fernando Alonso, although it should be noted that Alonso’s fastest time was set later in the session compared to the others. The Ferrari drivers also seemed more comfortable in the second half of the session. Sergio Perez set his best lap before Verstappen, but there was a convergence in lap times with the medium tires due to track improvement.
Verstappen had control issues and complained of unstable gear changes during his early laps. He also completed fewer laps than other top drivers. Additionally, Alpine struggled compared to other teams that attempted proper laps on the medium tires, excluding Haas, which focused on long-run race simulations.
© 2024
The latest news from the world of sports is here! In this edition, we bring you all the information about the hottest sports events of the moment. Stay updated with all the news and don’t miss any details!
In football, the Brazilian team achieved an impressive victory in the championship final. With impeccable performance, the players showcased their skills and secured the trophy for the country. The fans were ecstatic with the triumph and celebrated in the streets.
In basketball, the team from São Paulo surprised everyone and won the national championship title. The players showed great determination and skill throughout the season, and the result couldn’t have been different. The fans cheered for the victory and filled the arena to celebrate.
In motorsport, the Brazilian driver achieved another spectacular victory. With great speed and precision, he surpassed all competitors and crossed the finish line in first place. The Brazilian fans were proud of the driver’s performance and celebrated this achievement.
In volleyball, the women’s national team showcased their talent and won the world championship title. The players demonstrated great determination and resilience in each match, and the result couldn’t have been different. The Brazilian fans were moved by the victory and gave a standing ovation to the athletes.
These were just a few of the great achievements of Brazilian sports. Stay tuned for more news and keep cheering for our athletes. Brazil is once again the champion!
