P1racenews AI automatic summary:
What we learned from Thursday F1 practice at the 2024 Bahrain GP
The 2024 Formula 1 season has officially started with the opening two free practice sessions in Bahrain being moved to Thursday to avoid Ramadan clashes in the Middle East. Only FP2 provides valuable insight as the track conditions are cooler, setting the tone for qualifying and the race. Red Bull is expected to dominate this season, with teams still hiding their true performance potential. Lewis Hamilton led the way for Mercedes in FP2, showcasing immediate confidence in his car. Red Bull’s powertrains were likely not at full capacity, with Max Verstappen trailing behind Hamilton. Despite improvements from other drivers, Hamilton’s 1m30.374s lap remained the fastest of the session.
