Max Verstappen, the winner of the 2024 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix, crossed the finish line in first place with a commanding lead. He expressed that Red Bull’s competitors are now closer than they were in the previous year. Verstappen dominated the race by securing pole position, setting the fastest lap, and leading every lap. He finished the race with a 22-second advantage over his teammate Sergio Perez, who came in second. Carlos Sainz from Ferrari was the closest challenger, finishing 25.1 seconds behind Verstappen. Despite the significant gap between Red Bull and Ferrari, Verstappen remains vigilant and acknowledges that other teams have made progress. He believes that the success he achieved in the race was due to everything falling into place perfectly, but he does not expect the same outcome in every Grand Prix. Verstappen and his team will analyze their performance and strive for further improvement. Prior to the race, George Russell predicted that Verstappen would be half a second faster per lap than his rivals, a claim that Verstappen initially dismissed but ultimately proved to be accurate. Verstappen is uncertain about the reasons behind the gap between himself and his competitors, speculating that it could be due to differences in fuel loads and other factors. He emphasizes that his exceptional performance in the race was not always the norm and attributes it to the ideal balance and feeling he had with himself and the car.
Reflecting on the qualifying session, Verstappen acknowledged the intense competition during a single lap, which he believes is causing the field to become more closely matched. Despite his ability to secure a significant lead on race day, the Dutch driver considers the RB20’s weakness to lie in its performance over one lap. While he managed to claim pole position, Verstappen pointed out that Charles Leclerc set the fastest lap in Q2, highlighting the team’s struggle with one-lap performance. However, he remains confident in the car’s strength during races at most tracks. Verstappen also credited the favorable wind conditions on the day of qualifying for their improved performance compared to the previous two days.
As Verstappen looks ahead to the second round of the 2024 season in Jeddah, he refrains from making any guarantees about dominating the race. The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix presents a different challenge with its less abrasive track surface and a series of high-speed corners. Verstappen acknowledges that this race may be more closely contested and does not anticipate a repeat of the one-sided season they experienced in 2023, where they won 19 out of 22 races. Instead, he approaches each race individually, considering the various scenarios that may arise. Verstappen recognizes Jeddah as a unique track, one that suits their team’s strengths, but also emphasizes the need to focus on continuous improvement. He anticipates a different track layout, featuring more high-speed corners and a different tarmac composition, which may benefit other teams as well.