Carlos Sainz Jr, the Spanish driver of the Ferrari SF-24, competed in the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia, on March 24, 2024.
According to Damon Hill, former Formula 1 world champion in 1996, the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix will be a significant challenge for other teams to compete against Red Bull. Hill believes that Red Bull’s performance in Australia was tough, with Max Verstappen retiring due to brake issues and Sergio Perez losing speed due to a tear-off stuck under his car.
Hill recalls that when Red Bull was defeated in Singapore, Verstappen bounced back and secured a dominant 19-second victory over the McLaren drivers. He believes that the high-speed Suzuka circuit in Japan will be the ultimate test for Red Bull’s competitors in terms of aerodynamic efficiency and tire wear.
Hill predicts that Verstappen will likely secure pole position in qualifying, with a similar margin of two or three tenths of a second. He sees Ferrari as the closest rival to Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship, trailing by just four points after their strong one-two finish in Melbourne.
However, Hill raises doubts about Ferrari’s performance in Suzuka, considering the track’s emphasis on high-speed sections. He hopes that Ferrari can challenge Red Bull during the actual race, but questions whether they have good tire degradation. Hill suggests that the practice sessions (FP1/2/3) will provide some clues about Ferrari’s performance.
Hill also acknowledges the persistent question of whether Ferrari’s victory in Melbourne was influenced by Verstappen’s retirement. He believes that a direct battle between Ferrari and Verstappen, without any external factors, would be a significant moment for Formula 1, potentially disrupting Red Bull’s dominance.
Hill also predicts that McLaren will pose a challenge to the two main teams in Suzuka, as the track will highlight the qualities of their MCL38 car. The former Formula 1 driver emphasized that the high-speed layout and impressive advancements of the Woking-based team could make them a significant threat during this upcoming weekend.
“They are advancing and becoming more stable with each race,” Hill stated. He also mentioned that McLaren was dissatisfied with their performance in the first race in Bahrain, but they gained valuable insights from that experience.
“I believe they are gradually improving. Although they were not satisfied with their speed in Saudi Arabia, it seems they may have miscalculated the aerodynamic setup for the race. However, they seem to have found the ideal setup for Melbourne,” he concluded.
