Mercedes and other sources suggest that they expect to be behind their competitors when the season begins in early March. Red Bull and Ferrari have already been identified as the favorites for the 2024 Formula 1 season after just two days of pre-season testing in Bahrain.
In the past, pre-season lap times have been considered unreliable indicators for the upcoming season due to the various variables and experiments involved. However, Max Verstappen’s impressive pace on Wednesday stood out, as he was 1.14 seconds faster than McLaren’s Lando Norris, who finished in second place. Scuderia Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz closely followed Norris.
Verstappen chose not to participate in further sessions on Thursday, allowing Sainz to set the fastest lap time. Verstappen’s teammate, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, was close behind, with a difference of 0.75 seconds, while Lewis Hamilton secured third position.
George Russell, Hamilton’s teammate at Mercedes, openly acknowledged that Red Bull was clearly superior in terms of pace. He stated, “Red Bull is the favorite and definitely ahead of everyone else. That was expected.” Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging that Red Bull “remains considerably ahead.”
According to reports from Sky Germany, the Formula 1 paddock sees Ferrari as the team closest to Christian Horner’s Red Bull challengers. Mercedes engineers estimate that the difference between the two leading teams is one second, while Williams staff believe it to be half of that.
However, initial indications suggest that if anyone besides Red Bull is to challenge Verstappen’s dominance this season, it is likely to be Leclerc or Sainz. In the previous season, Red Bull finished with a significant 451-point difference from Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship, with Ferrari trailing three points behind.
The drivers’ championship was equally one-sided, with Verstappen leading Perez by a 290-point advantage. This marked Verstappen’s third consecutive title in Formula 1. Out of the 22 Grand Prix races, Sainz emerged as the only winner outside of Red Bull, with Verstappen claiming victory in 19 races and Perez in two.
