Red Bull dominated the opening race of the 2024 Formula 1 season in Bahrain, leaving fans wondering if they will continue their success in Saudi Arabia. The performance of Red Bull’s main rivals will determine the outcome. Since the race in Saudi Arabia is just a week after Bahrain, it is unlikely that there will be significant developments. So, what do Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren, and Aston Martin need to improve on their current cars in Jeddah?
In Bahrain, Ferrari showed promise as the closest competitor to Red Bull, meeting most people’s expectations based on pre-season testing. However, their performance fell short, as their third-place finisher, Carlos Sainz, was over 25 seconds behind Max Verstappen, who crossed the finish line in first place. Ferrari’s one-lap speed is a threat to Red Bull, as shown by Charles Leclerc’s impressive qualifying performance. But, just like at the end of 2023, Ferrari struggled to maintain their pace in actual races. The team’s progress in Bahrain was hampered by brake issues for Leclerc and traffic for Sainz, preventing a true test of improvement in race pace. Although Ferrari has made progress, the extent of their improvement is still uncertain.
Regarding Mercedes, its performance in the Bahrain Grand Prix left many questions unanswered. The team and drivers were optimistic about the pace in practice sessions, suggesting that the car had overcome the handling issues of its predecessors. This raised expectations that Mercedes would be a strong contender this season, challenging Ferrari and Red Bull. However, Lewis Hamilton’s mistake in qualifying and the team’s cooling choice proved costly. The car suffered from overheating warnings early in the race, compromising its performance. Mercedes can no longer afford to make operational errors and must demonstrate its pace in Saudi Arabia.
McLaren had high hopes for its 2024 car, expecting significant progress compared to the previous season. However, its performance in Bahrain was disappointing. They failed to challenge Mercedes and Ferrari, let alone pose a threat to Red Bull. The fundamental weaknesses of the car, especially in mid-corner rotation, still need to be improved. Although McLaren showed improvement in qualifying compared to the previous year, its race pace was lacking. Lando Norris’ performance in qualifying was promising, but the car needs upgrades to address its handling weaknesses at low speeds. Only then can we determine if McLaren’s preseason talks were justified.
Aston Martin, second best team last year at the season opener, did not show the same level of competitiveness in 2024. Despite Fernando Alonso’s decent qualifying time, the team finished in the top 10, behind McLaren and Hamilton. Alonso’s expectations were in line with the team’s pre-race simulations, placing them comfortably behind the top four teams. Aston Martin believes that their new car offers a better platform for development compared to the previous year. Sacrifices were made in terms of certain characteristics of the car that were effective in low-speed situations. Although their slow start is discouraging, Aston Martin expects a better performance as they continue to develop the car. However, they will need rapid improvements to compete with the top teams.
Overall, it remains to be seen whether Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren, and Aston Martin can challenge Red Bull in Saudi Arabia. Each team has areas that need improvement, and their performance in the next race will reveal their progress.
© 2024
Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton secured another impressive victory at the Monaco Grand Prix this Sunday. With an exceptional performance, Hamilton dominated the race from the start and crossed the finish line in first place. This is Hamilton’s fourth consecutive win this season, further consolidating his position as the championship leader.
The race at the Monaco circuit is known to be one of the most challenging and exciting on the Formula 1 calendar. With its narrow streets and tight corners, the circuit demands skill and precision from the drivers. Hamilton once again demonstrated his mastery by guiding his car perfectly throughout the 78 laps of the race.
Since the beginning of the weekend, Hamilton showed he was determined to win in Monaco. He secured pole position on Saturday, guaranteeing the most advantageous starting position. During the race, he maintained a consistent pace and did not give his opponents any chances.
Despite a brief threat of rain in the middle of the race, Hamilton managed to keep control and continued to lead. His team of engineers also did an excellent job providing the necessary information for him to make the best strategic decisions during the race.
With this victory, Hamilton extends his lead in the overall championship standings. He now has a comfortable advantage over his competitors and is getting closer to securing his eighth world title. Hamilton’s fans are excited about his exceptional performance and eager to see what he still has in store for the rest of the season.
