Carlos Sainz Jr, the Spanish driver for Ferrari SF-24, competed in the Formula 1 World Championship race at the Australian Grand Prix in Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia on March 24, 2024.
According to Damon Hill, the former Formula 1 World Champion in 1996, the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix will serve as a significant challenge for other teams to compete against Red Bull. Hill believes that Red Bull’s performance in Australia was difficult, with Max Verstappen retiring due to a brake issue and Sergio Perez losing pace because of a stuck tear-off under his car.
Hill recalls that when Red Bull was last defeated in Singapore, Verstappen bounced back and secured a dominant 19-second victory over the McLaren drivers. He thinks 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 1-2 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 lingering 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 top two teams at Suzuka, as the track will showcase the strengths of their MCL38 car. The former Formula 1 driver emphasized that the high-speed layout and the impressive advancements of the Woking-based team could make them a significant threat during this upcoming weekend.
“They are making strides and becoming more and more stable with each race,” stated Hill. He further 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. While they were not satisfied with their speed in Saudi Arabia, it appears that they may have miscalculated their aero setup for the race. However, they seem to have found the optimal configuration for Melbourne,” he concluded.