George Russell finished in second place in the Mercedes, while Zhou Guanyu secured the third fastest time. Max Verstappen, on the other hand, achieved the fourth fastest time during the final day of testing in Bahrain. Unfortunately, the morning session was interrupted by a loose drain cover, causing some disruptions. Despite this, the new F1 cars for 2024 showcased impressive reliability, demonstrating the advancements in both the sport and technology. The cars ran smoothly for three days, with only minor issues here and there.
With pre-season testing in Bahrain now concluded, it is premature to draw definitive conclusions about which teams are performing well. However, it is evident that Red Bull remains the team to beat in 2024, following their dominant campaign in 2023. After observing the 2024 F1 cars in action at the Sakhir Circuit for three days, one can make an educated guess about the pecking order for the upcoming season.
Behind Red Bull, Ferrari appears to have the second fastest car in terms of pure speed. Although the team has expressed optimism about addressing their tire degradation issues from 2023, the extent of their improvement remains uncertain. McLaren, on the other hand, remains somewhat of a mystery. While they did not showcase their pace during testing, their overall performance was solid. Despite Lando Norris experiencing a clutch issue on the final day, resulting in only 20 laps completed, McLaren is in a better position compared to the start of the previous year. Considering their strong showing towards the end of 2023, it would be unwise to underestimate their potential for a top-three finish.
Mercedes, with their significantly redesigned W15, seems to have retained their race-pace strength from 2023. However, it appears unlikely that they will challenge for a top-three position at the beginning of the season. The team needs time to familiarize themselves with the new car, as it deviates significantly from their previous philosophies in 2022 and 2023.
Aston Martin, the standout performers during the 2023 pre-season testing, were unable to replicate their previous success. While they appear competitive, it is difficult to determine whether they are better or worse off than Mercedes. Moving further down the field, the RBs are benefiting from receiving more components from Red Bull, while Alpine remains a question mark with their all-new A524 car. Williams seems to have a slight advantage over Sauber, but the order may change in the initial races. Haas, however, seems to be encountering difficulties just one week before the start of the season.
The report is still in progress, and further updates will follow.
According to the Source grandprix247.com