This upcoming race weekend in Bahrain, and the following one in nearby Saudi Arabia just a short drive away, will commence on Thursday with the first practice session (FP1) and second practice session (FP2), followed by the third practice session (FP3) and Qualifying on Friday. Finally, on Saturday, the highly anticipated Bahrain Grand Prix (#BahrainGP) will take place, marking the start of the record-breaking 24-race season.
Following three days of Formula 1 testing at the Sakhir circuit last week, where an abundance of new car data was collected alongside extensive historical information about the desert-based track, F1 drivers now provide their insights into the upcoming Grand Prix weekend. Here is what they have to share.
Lando Norris, representing McLaren, expresses his excitement for the start of the season: “The time has finally come for our first race! I am eagerly anticipating the beginning of my sixth season in Formula 1, alongside my team. We concluded the previous season on a positive note, and I hope we can maintain our momentum. It was an incredible feeling to be back behind the wheel of an F1 car last week. The testing of the MCL38 went smoothly, which provides us with a solid foundation for the race weekend. We gained valuable knowledge, but there are always new aspects to adapt to when driving a new car. I want to extend a massive thank you to the team for their dedication in bringing the MCL38 to the track. Let’s get started!”
Oscar Piastri, a driver for McLaren, expressed his excitement for the start of his second season in Formula 1. He is pleased to be back in the car, specifically the MCL38, which feels promising. Piastri had the opportunity to spend a significant amount of time in the car during testing last week, allowing the team to gain valuable insights about its performance. However, the true test of their competitiveness will come during the actual races. Piastri commended the team for their excellent work over the winter and everyone is thrilled to be back on the racing circuit. They are looking forward to an enjoyable season ahead.
Pierre Gasly, representing Alpine, stated that the A524 has a solid foundation that they plan to develop throughout the season. He was delighted to witness the unity within the team as they reached various milestones leading up to the car’s appearance on the track last week. Gasly emphasized the importance of their continuous hard work in order to make progress. Bahrain is a track known for its exciting races, with several opportunities for overtaking. Gasly reminisced about his previous race for Alpine, where he achieved a strong performance and earned points. He hopes to replicate that success this time around and is eager to compete on the grid once again.
Esteban Ocon, also from Alpine, highlighted the value of the test session in Bahrain, where they gathered valuable information about the new car and its characteristics. The car showed improvement throughout the testing period, and they are optimistic about further advancements during the race weekend. Ocon acknowledged the challenge of determining the exact pecking order among teams due to the limited testing schedule and varying strategies. However, they focused on their own performance and collected as much data as possible. Ocon emphasized the team’s dedication to bringing more performance to the car in future races, despite starting the season with a new car concept and being slightly behind. They are determined to maximize their package and achieve the best possible results in the opening race.
Alex Albon, Williams: “We faced some challenges during the test but made progress throughout. There is still work to be done in order to fully utilize the potential of our car. The days between the test and the race have been dedicated to understanding the package and identifying areas that require improvement. As we head into FP1, we have new ideas that we will implement to make the most of the weekend.”
Logan Sargeant, Williams: “After the Bahrain testing, I have been eagerly waiting to get back in the FW46 and start racing this season. Although more testing would have been ideal, our team made the most of the three days and moved in the right direction. We will build upon what we learned during the test and aim to position the car well before Qualifying. Hopefully, we can begin the season on a positive note for the team.”
Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo: “I am eagerly anticipating the return to racing. There is no feeling that compares to it, and no amount of testing can replicate the thrill of wheel-to-wheel battles. I am curious to see where everyone stands once qualifying begins. We anticipate a closely contested field, and we understand the need to extract the maximum from every aspect – driving, set-up, and conditions – to be at the forefront of our group. We are confident in the progress we made during testing, and now we must continue to improve for this race and the races that follow.”
Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo: “Finally, the time has come to race again, and I can hardly contain my excitement. This is what motorsport is all about, and there is something particularly special about the first race of the season, especially on a fantastic track under the floodlights. I have fond memories from Bahrain, where I had my first-ever F1 race, and it always brings a smile to my face to return to the starting grid here. We are satisfied with our achievements in testing, although we recognize that it is just the beginning of a long journey. We must continue to improve, not just this weekend, but in every race ahead of us. If we do that, we can enjoy exciting battles with our competitors. Every session presents an opportunity, and we must make the most of each one.”
Kevin Magnussen, driver for the Haas team, expressed satisfaction with their testing performance. The team’s objective was to focus on long runs with a full fuel load, addressing the main issue they faced last year. Magnussen believes they have made progress, although he is cautious about raising expectations. He acknowledges that there is still a lot of work to be done, but is pleased with the results of their winter preparations and the testing days. Bahrain is a challenging circuit, particularly for the rear tires, and tire degradation is typically high. Magnussen sees this as an opportunity to test their tire management, which is an area they are trying to improve. He is eager to see how they perform in the race, as that will be the ultimate test of their progress. The team is in good spirits, creating a positive atmosphere that Magnussen hasn’t experienced in a while.
Nico Hulkenberg, another driver for the Haas team, also had a positive assessment of the Bahrain pre-season testing. He acknowledges the difficulty of drawing conclusions at this stage, but believes they have made improvements in areas where they struggled last year. This was much needed and Hulkenberg is pleased to see and feel the progress. It is too early to determine their position in the field, but the testing execution and reliability were successful. Hulkenberg is excited to start the season and is curious to see how everything unfolds.
Please note that this report will be updated with official driver quotes as they are received by our news desk.