P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes fastest, and Max Verstappen down in sixth? The end-of-day order as the Bahrain GP weekend (and 2024 F1 season) kicked off wasn’t as expected. Mark Hughes looks into the likely reasons behind that and what was more conclusively offered by the long-run data
An unusually cool Sakhir track and gusty crosswinds affected one-lap pace on the first day of the 2024 Formula 1 season, with Max Verstappen not satisfied with his Red Bull’s balance. Despite finishing sixth, his long-run performance was impressive, indicating a conservative power unit setting. Mercedes, led by Lewis Hamilton, showed promising signs but acknowledged room for improvement in long-run pace against Red Bull.
Red Bull dominated the long-run simulations on soft compound tires, with Sergio Perez and Verstappen showcasing different approaches. The circuit’s rear tire wear challenges teams to find a balance between one-lap speed and race endurance. Red Bull’s strategy of conservative compromise might account for their performance relative to Mercedes and Ferrari.
Oscar Piastri’s McLaren posted the best non-Red Bull long run, but was slightly slower than Hamilton. Varying fuel loads and race strategies could explain differences in pace between teammates. Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren demonstrated a close battle over single-lap speed, with Aston Martin closely following. The midfield teams showed a distinct gap behind the frontrunners.
