Verstappen emerged as the fastest driver on Day 1, with an impressive 1.1-second advantage over the next competitor in the incredibly efficient and fast Red Bull RB20. The new masterpiece created by Adrian Newey and his team left everyone amazed and on the verge of giving up. F1 veteran Fernando Alonso categorically stated that “19 drivers know that Max will be world champion,” a sentiment shared by Davidson. The F1TV experts, including Davidson, who are expected to promote the series, must be finding it challenging after witnessing Verstappen’s dominance during testing in Bahrain. The RB20 has the potential to overshadow the rest of the grid and make the second half of the 2024 F1 season a mere formality.
When asked about the team rankings before the Bahrain GP, Davidson confidently placed Red Bull at the top, especially after witnessing Max’s effortless performance on the first day with new tires. He believes that Mercedes would come in second in terms of race pace, while Ferrari may have an advantage in qualifying. However, Davidson noted promising qualities in Mercedes’ performance during longer races, with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell impressing behind the wheel. He predicts that McLaren would closely follow Mercedes and Ferrari, with VCARB and Aston Martin trailing behind. Davidson sees Red Bull as the possible surprise of this season, surpassing the performance of last year’s Aston Martin. Russell’s second place in testing does not worry Hamilton, who acknowledges that Red Bull is clearly ahead of the competition.
Despite his future commitment to Ferrari in 2025, Hamilton is fully focused on ending his tenure with Mercedes on a high note. He has full confidence in the team and aims to close the gap to Red Bull. The true capabilities of the 2024 F1 cars will be revealed during full and powerful laps, with the softest tires and low fuel in the qualifying session for the Bahrain Grand Prix. However, if you are not a fan of Max Verstappen, it may be wise to explore other sports in the coming seasons or even in the next decade.
