Formula 1’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix is currently underway, and the first day of practice has brought some surprising results. Our team of Scott Mitchell-Malm, Edd Straw, and Samarth Kanal were present in Bahrain, gathering information from the trackside and the paddock. Here’s what they discovered:
During the Friday evening session, Mercedes showed impressive speed on a single lap. Even the drivers themselves were slightly taken aback by their performance. George Russell mentioned that they still need to understand why the car was so good and that the changes made since testing exceeded expectations. The initial pecking order based on single-lap pace was Mercedes, Aston Martin, Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull, Haas, Williams, RB, Alpine, and Sauber. However, the picture changed when it came to long-run data.
In terms of long-run pace, Red Bull, particularly Max Verstappen, took the lead, followed by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, the two Mercedes drivers, Sergio Perez’s Red Bull, and the two Ferraris. Our observations from the trackside indicated that the Red Bull looked the most consistent, while the Mercedes appeared more inconsistent. Although the FP2 times may not accurately reflect the final grid for the grand prix, this early glimpse of the pecking order suggests an intriguing opening weekend, with Red Bull still having an advantage where it counts.
Regardless of its position in the competitive order, Mercedes has achieved its main objective since last year. They have successfully addressed the issue of rear instability, as George Russell stated. This confidence in their improvement is supported by how the car performs on the track. While it may not match Red Bull’s level, it provides a consistent performance that allows the drivers to push during corner entry. Mercedes has also made progress in understanding the optimal car setup, although it is not yet perfect.
Alpine faced significant challenges leading up to the Bahrain GP. The car was difficult to drive, and the team had missed some targets in terms of timeline. The expectations were that Alpine would be towards the back of the grid, and the FP2 results confirmed this. The car struggled with bumps and lacked a consistent balance, making it visibly slower compared to its rivals. Alpine has a lot of work to do, including reducing weight, understanding the modified mechanical platform, and improving the aerodynamics. However, there is still hope for improvement.
McLaren’s progress over the winter was slightly disappointing. The MCL38 is an improvement over its predecessor but still has weaknesses in low-speed corners. This was evident during testing and on Thursday in Bahrain. Lando Norris seemed to struggle more than Oscar Piastri in second practice. Despite the challenges, McLaren showed good pace, with Piastri being the fifth fastest and having the best long run in FP2. However, Norris’s dissatisfaction with the car suggests that McLaren is not entirely satisfied with its current performance. Upgrades are already in progress to address these issues.
The Williams team faced significant challenges during the winter. The FW46 chassis technology overhaul resulted in fundamental problems, and some of their processes were outdated. The car build was managed using a manual Excel spreadsheet, and there were instances of physically searching for parts in the factory. However, Williams managed to overcome these obstacles and get the car ready for the track. The team still has a long way to go in terms of modernizing and improving, but their efforts are commendable.
There were questions surrounding the legality of Mercedes’ innovative front wing during Bahrain testing. However, FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis clarified that the wing presented no issue and passed all inspections. He also denied any need to act against teams’ use of outwash aero. Formula 1 has promised changes to this year’s broadcast, including new graphics, cameras, and more use of augmented reality. These improvements aim to provide viewers with better information and enhance their viewing experience.
Paddy Lowe, a former Formula 1 technical chief, has returned to the sport after five years. He is now part of Zero Petroleum, a company specializing in synthetic fuels. Zero Petroleum has partnered with Sauber and aims to communicate the progress made in synthetic fuel technology. The focus is on achieving sustainability targets, starting with the team’s facilities and energy usage. While there are currently no plans to use Zero synthetic fuel in the car, it is a possibility in the future as fully-synthetic fuels are being considered for the 2026 regulations.