In the most recent edition of the Bahrain Grand Prix, a different Spanish driver stepped onto the podium, marking the year 2024. This achievement can be attributed to the collaboration between Red Bull, Max Verstappen, and Adrian Newey. Together, they created the dominant RB20/Verstappen package, expected to reign supreme throughout the longest season in Formula 1 history. With one race completed and 23 more to come, the stage is set for an exciting season.
Credit must be given to the Red Bull team for their success. While they are not solely responsible, their rivals such as Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren must be held accountable for their inability to challenge them. It is worth noting that some teams, like Alpine, are still struggling with weight issues, as their cars remain heavier even after three years.
Similar to the previous edition in 2023, Verstappen emerged victorious in Bahrain, with Sergio Perez securing second place. However, the dynamics further down the grid have shifted. Ferrari has now taken the position of the second-best team, replacing last year’s Aston Martin. As for McLaren, despite their disappointing performance, they have shown improvement compared to 2023.
Mercedes, on the other hand, has not undergone significant changes. While their car has been modified, featuring sidepods, Lewis Hamilton remains content with just his seating position. In terms of speed, there have not been many changes for the team.
Behind Red Bull, the competition has become fiercer compared to 2023. This means that the battle for the “best of the rest” title will be thrilling, as the top spot seems to be reserved for Red Bull.
With the return of F1 action, our conclusions are back as well. Here are the initial highlights from the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix.
This is not necessarily a negative thing. Yes, we will go into each race with the knowledge of the likely winner, unless something unexpected happens. However, we will still have F1 brilliance in action, while the off-track preseason events we have recently witnessed – some positive, some negative – will have additional consequences that will keep us engaged and captivated.
Red Bull admirably took a risk with the RB20, incorporating a new sidepod design that caught their competitors off guard, who briefly believed they had discovered the ultimate F1 ground effect cars. This demonstrates the abundant confidence of the current F1 Champions, as well as the expertise of personnel like Newey, who seems to be fully enjoying the ground effect era, and Verstappen, who is currently at the peak of his abilities and possibly even improving.
Red Bull predicted that their rivals could close the gap after emulating their design, so they made a drastic change in direction to restore the gap to their 2023 level. Admittedly, Carlos Sainz was closer to Perez in Bahrain, but still about 25 seconds behind Verstappen. It is important to consider that Bahrain is a unique venue and, being the first race, both RB20s may not have been fully optimized. The team will certainly need more time to fully master the new car.
The ease with which Verstappen delivered his pole lap is a threatening sign for the other teams. Furthermore, the fact that he managed to make the soft tires last longer than any of his rivals during the initial stint, and then use another set for the final stint, indicates that the RB20 has all the positive characteristics inherited from the RB19.
The next race in Singapore will reveal whether Red Bull has managed to address the only weakness they showed in 2023.
The top five teams for 2024 are clearly led by Red Bull, with Ferrari closely following in second place, while Mercedes and McLaren are battling for third place, and Aston Martin is at the bottom. Ferrari seems to have maintained its single-lap speed, and Bahrain showed that their race pace is even better, especially considering the abrasive surface of the Sakhir track.
Unfortunately, Charles Leclerc’s brakes failed, depriving us of the opportunity to witness the showdown between the RB20 and the SF-24 in the hands of the fastest drivers. However, it is worth noting that Sainz is a talented driver, but starting behind Leclerc on the grid prevented a fair comparison from being made.
As for Mercedes, George Russell’s qualifying performance revealed the potential of the W15, but the team may need some time to unlock it fully. With 2026 approaching sooner than expected, there is little chance for the eight-time F1 Constructors’ Champions to truly challenge Red Bull.
McLaren had a better start this season compared to their performance in 2023, but it is undoubtedly a disappointment. Aston Martin, on the other hand, had a steady – if not spectacular – start with hopes of properly developing their AMR24 this time around.
In summary, this is the initial order of the determined pursuers of Red Bull, which is likely to change from track to track, as was the case last year. This gives us one more reason to feel like we are still racing in 2023…
The F1 off-season was anything but monotonous, as several stories emerged that woke us up from our winter slumber. It all started with Andretti Cadillac’s rejection by Formula One Management to become the 11th team, quickly followed by the shocking announcement of Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in 2025. However, the bombshell dropped when Christian Horner faced an investigation for alleged “inappropriate behavior” towards a colleague. Although he was cleared, alleged evidence was leaked to 149 people connected to F1, including teams, media, FIA, and FOM. We are still dealing with the consequences of this scandal. Lastly, as these lines were being written, news emerged of an investigation against FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem for alleged interference in the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. These events ensure that 2024 will be a season worth following, despite the expected monotony on the track. However, it is important to note that “interesting” does not always mean positive. The rejection of Andretti Cadillac’s entry into F1 is undoubtedly a setback, a view that we at GrandPrix247 consistently emphasize. Furthermore, the FOM’s statement trying to justify their decision is completely absurd. It remains to be seen how this story will unfold.
Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari is undoubtedly a beneficial move for the sport, but his final season with Mercedes will certainly be uncomfortable. The way he behaved in Bahrain indicates this.
The relationship between Hamilton and Russell will be intriguing to watch as the season progresses. Notable is the silence that falls in the Mercedes engineering room when Lewis enters, indicating a shift in priorities towards the younger driver.
The situation at Ferrari is also worth monitoring. With Sainz’s departure, he is eager to showcase his skills to his future employer without having to worry about his teammate, team dynamics, or team orders. It’s every man for himself in Maranello now.
Unfortunately, the controversy involving Horner brings nothing positive. It is disheartening to see personal lives being dragged into the spotlight, including both Horner’s and the female complainant’s.
This situation also has a negative impact on Formula 1, as it distracts from the team’s impressive performance on the track. It’s a shame that such issues divert attention from the sport itself.
Following the Bahrain race, the media is more concerned with speculating about Horner, the investigation, the leaked messages, and the alleged power struggle within Red Bull. The team’s excellent one-two finish is overshadowed by these discussions.
While it is an unpleasant topic, we feel obligated to report on it carefully, as it directly affects the livelihood of those working at Red Bull. These dedicated Formula 1 team members strive for perfection every weekend. We hope a solution will be reached soon so we can focus on what truly matters: the races.
Furthermore, the ongoing investigation by Ben Sulayem is another intriguing development that will unfold in the coming days. We will have plenty of time to delve into the details.
Overall, these developments are interesting, but they do not necessarily have a positive impact.
© 2024
Title: Famous football player caught in scandal!
On the last weekend, a famous soccer player was involved in a scandal that shocked fans. The player, whose name we cannot reveal for legal reasons, was caught in a compromising situation during a party at his mansion.
Witnesses claim that the player was accompanied by several women and consuming excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages. The party, which lasted all night, was marked by loud music and inappropriate behavior.
The player, known for his skill on the field, now faces serious consequences for his actions. His club has already commented on the incident, stating that they will take necessary measures to punish the player.
The player’s fans are disappointed with his behavior and have expressed their outrage on social media. Many question the example he is setting for the young fans who idolize him.
The scandal has had a huge impact, with various media outlets reporting on the incident. The player’s personal life, which was once kept private, is now exposed to the world.
It is important to note that the player has not yet commented on the matter. It is expected that he will issue an official statement soon to clarify the facts and apologize for his behavior.
Meanwhile, the controversy continues and the player’s fans await more information on how this story unfolds. The player’s future in soccer is still uncertain, but one thing is certain: his reputation has been tarnished and he will have to deal with the consequences of his actions.
