2024-02-21 16:37:38
In the morning, the differences of Max Verstappen and your new Red Bull RB20, They already left the staff speechless. Some hint of doubt, a mistake or a small skid was expected in a very aggressive car, with inverted pontoons and many new solutions, but none of that. After two small braking blocks in turn 8, the Dutchman started to change settings and After two and a half hours of ‘excitement’, the first blow came. left behind Leclerc y Alonso as if nothing, at 0.6 and 0.8 seconds, respectively.
During the lunch break, the long faces They were the common currency throughout the paddock, outside of Red Bull, of course. At Aston Martin, Alonso chatted with Pedro de la Rosa regarding his feelings in the car while he ate and others talked regarding a Red Bull as something “impressive”although the followingnoon started in a very different way.
Sainz, the freed one
Carlos Sainz placed second overtaking Max in the early followingnoon and then Lando Norris, with the McLaren, first, removing Max from his untouchable position.
It seemed that there might be a small turnaround, until reality prevailed once more. Verstappen pulled C1 (super hard), to set a time of 1;34.1 that no one can aspire to with that compound. Then he played several games of C3 (medium) just like that of Ferrari and McLaren and the festival arrived. First marked the 1:31.6 with which he cut off any hope and then lowered his own record to the 1:31.1 final, that is, 1.1 seconds better than Lando’s McLaren, which disputed the pole positions at the end of last year.
To put in context The three-time champion’s time is 1.5 seconds faster than his best time from day 1 of testing in 2023. That is, on paper, the new and amazing machine designed by Adrian Newey’s team might have taken a brutal leap, without changing anything in the regulations, while their rivals improve but not at that level. We are only at the beginning, but The general feeling is that Max has ordered the fourth consecutive World Cup for your showcase.
Nevertheless, For Sainz finishing third and well ahead of his teammate is a good start. He’s going to run released of pressure, knowing that it is his last year in Ferrari and he can exploit that to have his best season in F1. Ha won races in 2022 and 2023 and he will try once more, while his partner is in another position. In 2025 he arrives Hamilton to boxing and that can weigh on the spirit. We’ll see how he manages it.
Alonso, eighth
Fernando Alonso He started the day leading, and alternating the best times with Leclercuntil Verstappen He extinguished the rebellion with a stroke of a pen. The track improved in the followingnoon, when Stroll (sixth) was already on board AMR24. The general sensations are good. The car has improved and remains in a similar position to that of 2023, with the arrival of McLaren in the second half of the course, an extremely strong rival.
For Fernando It can be enough to fight for podiums many times in the 24 races this season, although It doesn’t seem like the start is going to have the brilliance of last year, where he achieved six in the first eight dates. On Friday it will be much better to see where he can be in the Bahrain and Saudi GP, that go in a row at this start of F1.
McLaren settles and Visa appears
Norris He became the leader for an hour and left some very consistent runs with the C3, but he bent the knee a lot once morest Max. McLaren might be the second team at the beginning of the year, with Ferrari as third.
What was not so predictable is that Daniel Ricciardo, with the new Visa Cash, the heir of AlphaTauri, got involved as room car of the day. It is true that the new car It looks like a clone of the RB19 from 2023but it was not expected that It went so well the first time. More rivals in the middle zone.
Mercedes, far behind at the moment
With all the reservations they deserve, The start of the Mercedes W15 was very discreet.Russellwho spent the whole day with the new car, was able to complete more than 120 laps, but the records were never among the best and finished 12th at the end of the day.
It is true that it has several very constant runs, although never very long, so the evolution of the car will have to be closely monitored. Something more was expected from the new Mercedes, which has very ingenious solutions, like the new front wing with the split upper flap and whose appearance is very pleasant initially. Hamilton He will be alone behind the wheel on Thursday.
Behind, Alpine seemed sunk in last position, until Gasly finally put the C3 and got fifth at the end of the day, ahead of Stroll. It is already much better than what they wanted to show in last year’s tests.
Bahrain Test 2024, Day 1 (final):
1. Verstappen, Red Bull, 1m31.344s, C3 – 142 laps
2. Norris, McLaren, 1m32.484s, C3 – 72 laps
3. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari, 1m32.584s, C3 – 69 laps
4. Ricciardo, RB, 1m32.599s, C3 – 51 laps
5. Gasly, Alpine, 1m32.805s, C3 – 60 laps
6. Stroll, Aston Martin, 1m33.007s, C3 – 53 laps
7. Leclerc, Ferrari, 1m33.247s, C3 – 64 laps
8. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin, 1m33.385s, C3 – 77 laps
9. Piastri, McLaren, 1m33.658s, C3 – 57 laps
10. Zhou, Sauber, 1m33.871s, C3 – 62 laps
11. Sargeant, Williams, 1m33.882s, C3 – 21 laps
12. Russell, Mercedes, 1m34.109s, C3 – 121 laps
13. Tsunoda, RB, 1m34.136s, C3 – 64 laps
14. Bottas, Sauber, 1m34.431s, C3 – 68 laps
15. Albon, Williams, 1m34.587s, C3 – 40 laps
16. Ocon, Alpine, 1m34.677s, C2 – 60 laps
17. Magnussen, Haas, 1m35.692s, C3 – 66 laps
18. Hulkenberg, Haas, 1m35.906s, C3 – 82 laps
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#Carlos #Sainz #leaves #recital #Verstappen #Newey
