This weekend’s race in Bahrain, and the following one in neighboring Saudi Arabia, just a short drive away, will begin on Thursday with the first free practice session (FP1) and the second free practice session (FP2), followed by the third free practice session (FP3) and Qualifying on Friday. Finally, on Saturday, the highly anticipated Bahrain Grand Prix (#BahrainGP) will take place, marking the start of the record-breaking 24-race season.
After three days of Formula 1 testing at the Sakhir circuit last week, where a wealth of new car data was collected along with extensive historical information about the desert-based track, F1 drivers now provide their perspectives on the upcoming Grand Prix weekend. Here’s what they have to share.
Lando Norris, representing McLaren, expresses his excitement for the start of the season: “The time has finally come for our first race! I’m looking forward to the start of my sixth season in Formula 1, alongside my team. We ended the previous season positively, and I hope we can maintain our momentum. It felt amazing to be back behind the wheel of an F1 car last week. The MCL38 tests went well, providing us with a solid foundation for the race weekend. We gained valuable knowledge, but there are always new aspects to adapt to when driving a new car. I want to extend a big thank you to the team for their efforts in bringing the MCL38 to the track. Let’s get started!”
Oscar Piastri, McLaren driver, expressed his excitement for the start of his second season in Formula 1. He is pleased to be back in the car, specifically the MCL38, which looks promising. Piastri had the opportunity to spend a significant amount of time in the car during testing last week, allowing the team to gather valuable insights into its performance. However, the true test of their competitiveness will occur during the actual races. Piastri praised the team for their excellent work during the winter and everyone is excited to be back on the racing circuit. They are looking forward to an enjoyable season ahead.
Pierre Gasly, representing Alpine, stated that the A524 has a solid foundation that they plan to develop throughout the season. He was delighted to witness the unity within the team as they achieved various milestones that led to the car’s appearance on the track last week. Gasly emphasized the importance of continuous hard work to make progress. Bahrain is known for its exciting races, with several overtaking opportunities. Gasly recalled his previous race for Alpine, where he had a strong performance and scored points. He hopes to replicate that success this time and is eager to compete on the grid once again.
Esteban Ocon, also from Alpine, highlighted the value of the testing session in Bahrain, where they gathered valuable information about the new car and its characteristics. The car showed improvement throughout the testing period, and they are optimistic about future advancements during the race weekend. Ocon acknowledged the challenge of determining the exact order among teams due to the limited testing schedule and varied strategies. However, they focused on their own performance and collected as much data as possible. Ocon emphasized the team’s dedication to bringing more performance to the car in the upcoming races, despite starting the season with a new car concept and being slightly behind. They are determined to maximize their package and achieve the best possible results in the opening race.
Alex Albon, Williams: “We faced some challenges during testing, but we made progress over time. There is still work to be done to fully exploit the potential of our car. The days between testing and the race were dedicated to understanding the package and identifying areas that need improvement. As we move into FP1, we have new ideas that we will implement to make the most of the weekend.”
Logan Sargeant, Williams: “After testing in Bahrain, I’ve been looking forward to getting back in the FW46 and starting racing this season. While more testing would have been ideal, our team made the most of the three days and headed in the right direction. We will build on what we learned during testing and aim to position the car well before Qualifying. Hopefully, we can start the season positively for the team.”
Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo: “I’m looking forward to the return of racing. There is no feeling like it, and no test can replicate the excitement of wheel-to-wheel battles. I’m curious to see where everyone stands when qualifying begins. We anticipate a fiercely contested field, and we understand the need to extract the maximum from every aspect – driving, setup, and conditions – to be at the forefront of our group. We are confident in the progress we made during testing, and now we need to continue improving for this race and the ones to come.”
Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo: “Finally, it’s time to race again, and I can hardly contain my excitement. This is what motorsport is all about, and there’s something especially special about the first race of the season, especially on a fantastic track under the lights. I have fond memories of Bahrain, where I had my first F1 race, and it always brings a smile to my face to return to the starting grid here. We are pleased with our achievements in testing, although we recognize that it is just the beginning of a long journey. We must continue to improve, not only this weekend but in every race we have ahead. If we do that, we can enjoy exciting battles with our competitors. Each session presents an opportunity, and we must make the most of each one.”
Kevin Magnussen, Haas team driver, expressed satisfaction with the testing performance. The team’s goal was to focus on long races with a full fuel load, addressing the main issue they faced last year. Magnussen believes they have made progress, although he is cautious about raising expectations. He recognizes that there is still much work to be done but is pleased with the results of their winter preparations and testing days. Bahrain is a challenging circuit, especially for the rear tires, and tire degradation is typically high. Magnussen sees this as an opportunity to test tire management, which is an area they are trying to improve. He is looking forward to seeing how they perform in the race, as that will be the ultimate test of their progress. The team is in good spirits, creating a positive atmosphere that Magnussen hasn’t experienced in a while.
Nico Hulkenberg, another Haas team driver, also had a positive assessment of the pre-season testing in Bahrain. He acknowledges the difficulty of drawing conclusions at this stage but believes they have made improvements in the areas where they struggled last year. This was much needed, and Hulkenberg is pleased to see and feel the progress. It is still early to determine their position in the field, but the execution of the tests and the reliability were successful. Hulkenberg is excited to start the season and curious to see how everything unfolds.
Please note that this report will be updated with official quotes from the drivers as they are received by our editorial team.
© 2024
Portugal wins thrilling Euro 2024 final against Germany
Portugal clinched the title of Euro 2024 in a thrilling final against Germany. The match, held at the Estádio Nacional in Lisbon, was filled with moments of tension and great plays.
The Portuguese national team started the game with great determination, putting pressure on the German team from the beginning. Cristiano Ronaldo, once again, was the standout player, scoring two goals and leading the team to victory.
Germany also showed a good performance, with talented players like Thomas Müller and Timo Werner. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome the strength and technique of the Portuguese.
The goal that secured Portugal’s victory was scored by Bernardo Silva in the second half of extra time. Portuguese fans went wild with the goal and celebrated the title win with great festivities.
With this victory, Portugal establishes itself as one of the greatest powers in European football. The team, led by coach Fernando Santos, demonstrated high-level football throughout the tournament and deserved the win.
Euro 2024 was a great success, with thrilling matches and intense rivalry among the teams. The competition showcased the talent and passion for football that exists in the European continent.
Now, all eyes turn to the next edition of the Euro, which promises to be even more exciting. Football fans are already eager to see the teams in action again and cheer for their favorite teams.
Portugal celebrates the victory in Euro 2024, and the players are welcomed as heroes in Lisbon. The title win is a source of pride for the whole country and shows the strength of Portuguese football.
The Portuguese national team demonstrated high-level football throughout the tournament, with skillful plays and a solid defense. The players gave their all in every match and were rewarded with the victory.
Euro 2024 will be remembered in the history of Portuguese football as one of the most memorable moments. The title win is the result of years of hard work and dedication from everyone involved in the team.
Now, it’s time to celebrate and enjoy this achievement. The Portuguese national team showed the world their talent and determination, and they deserve all the recognition for this historic victory. Congratulations, Portugal!
