Max Verstappen put Red Bull’s new 2024 Formula 1 car on top in Bahrain as the 10 teams racked up more than 500 laps on the first morning of pre-season testing.
The first morning of 2024 testing allowed for a closer look at the RB20, which was described at its launch last week as a “quite aggressive” evolution of the RB19 that won all but one of last year’s 22 grands prix.
These new details included halo inlets as well as more detail around its sidepod design. Red Bull has seemingly split its inlet into two parts on the 2024 car.
While the RB20 appeared to be a handful early on in the four-hour session, it looked far more cooperative when Verstappen switched to the mid-range, yellow-sidewalled C3 tyre and he went fastest inside the first two hours.
Verstappen, who is back in the Red Bull later on Wednesday followingnoon, went faster still on a subsequent run and ended the session with a best time of 1m32.548s – meaning he was the only driver to eclipse his 2023 day one benchmark (1m32.837s).
Charles Leclerc had been within two tenths of the Red Bull at one stage but Verstappen’s improvement meant the Ferrari driver ended the session 0.699 seconds adrift.
Leclerc had a couple of lock-ups and the SF-24 appeared to suffer from some bouncing on the approach to Turn 1 but his session was otherwise trouble-free.
Fernando Alonso was the only other driver within a second of Verstappen’s early benchmark, lapping 0.837s off. He was the most industrious driver in the morning session, completing 77 laps in the new Aston Martin AMR24.
McLaren had a slow start to the morning but Oscar Piastri cleared more than 50 laps on his way to the fourth-fastest time, three tenths further back from Alonso.
Yuki Tsunoda was fifth fastest for the rebranded RB team ahead of George Russell, who had a low-key session for Mercedes.
Russell spent an extended spell of more than half an hour in the Mercedes garage mid-session but the team said its focus was on learning rather than what it described as ‘mileage accumulation’. He completed 48 laps.
Alex Albon, who was eighth behind the Sauber of Valtteri Bottas, was the only driver to stop on track during the session.
He brought the Williams FW46 that was seen for the first time on Tuesday to a halt on the outside of Turn 3 with 25 minutes of the session remaining, having slowed on the main straight and then cut the right-left Turn 1/2 switchback at the start of the lap.
The car, which completed 40 laps but conducted extensive running with flo-vis paint applied, had been recovered to the Williams garage by the end of the session. Albon was an outlier in setting his best time – a 1m34.587s – on the softer C4 compound.
Esteban Ocon was ninth for Alpine, with Kevin Magnussen – whose Haas spent some time on its stands in the garage with a reported fuel system issue – 10th, 3.144s off Verstappen’s benchmark.
Analysis:
The first morning of 2024 Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain gave us a glimpse into the performance of the teams and their new cars. Red Bull’s new RB20 showed promising performance, with Max Verstappen setting the fastest time of the session. The car’s aggressive design and new features, such as split halo inlets and improved sidepod design, have impressed onlookers.
Verstappen’s dominance on the track raises expectations for Red Bull as a strong contender in the upcoming season. His ability to improve on his own previous benchmark time from 2023 showcases his skill and the potential of the RB20.
However, it’s also worth noting the strong performances of other drivers and teams. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari was within two tenths of Verstappen’s time, showing the competitive nature of the sport. Fernando Alonso, returning to Aston Martin, displayed his dedication by completing the most laps of any driver during the morning session.
On the other hand, Mercedes had a relatively quiet session, with George Russell focusing on learning and accumulating knowledge rather than chasing lap times. This strategic approach might be a sign of their confidence in their previous success and their intention to fine-tune their new car before pushing for outright speed.
Williams faced some challenges during the session, with Alex Albon’s car coming to a halt on track. However, it’s important to note the team’s determination in recovering the car and completing a decent number of laps. This incident highlights the inherent risks and technical complexities involved in Formula 1.
Looking ahead, the performance of the teams in Bahrain sets the stage for an exciting season ahead. The intense competition between Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, and other teams will surely provide thrilling on-track battles for fans around the world.
As technology continues to evolve, we can expect further innovations and improvements in Formula 1 cars. The development of split halo inlets and other new features on the RB20 demonstrates the ongoing pursuit of performance enhancement and safety measures in the sport.
In terms of current events and emerging trends, sustainability and environmental consciousness are becoming increasingly important in the world of motorsports. Formula 1 has recently announced its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. This shift towards sustainability will likely influence the development of future car designs and the adoption of alternative fuels or powertrains.
Furthermore, the integration of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and data analytics, will play a crucial role in improving performance and optimizing race strategies. Teams will continue to harness the power of data to gain a competitive edge on the track.
In conclusion, the first morning of 2024 Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain showcased the potential of the teams and their new cars. Red Bull’s dominance, coupled with the strong performances from Ferrari and other teams, sets the stage for an exciting and competitive season ahead. With a focus on sustainability and the integration of advanced technologies, Formula 1 is poised to continue pushing the boundaries of motorsports in the future.
