2024 F1 Bahrain GP Thursday analysis by Peter Windsor

Summary

The script provides commentary and analysis on the first free practice sessions at the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton topped the timesheets in FP2 ahead of new Mercedes teammate George Russell, looking relaxed and quick after a difficult end to 2022. Long run analysis shows Red Bull and Max Verstappen very strong over race distances, with Ferrari and McLaren close behind. An in-depth look at telemetry and driving styles examines Verstappen's efficient braking and commitment through turns compared to Lando Norris, allowing superior corner speed despite Norris being on softer tires.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hamilton and Russell finished P1 and P2 in FP2 for Mercedes, looking quick and relaxed
• 👍 Red Bull and Verstappen were fast on long runs with consistent 36s, Mercedes drifting to 37s
• 🚗 Ferrari had good long run pace matching Mercedes, Sainz looking good along with Leclerc
• 🚦 McLaren and Piastri put in impressive times, matching Mercedes' pace on long runs
• 🏎 Aston Martin and Alonso promising on mediums, ahead of McLaren in FP1
• 🔧 Perez struggled more than Verstappen in Red Bull, indicating car may be difficult to handle
• 🌡 Track conditions and wind made FP1 challenging for teams to get reads
• 🚀 Look at telemetry from Leclerc's practice start shows incredible Ferrari acceleration
• 👀 Data comparison shows Verstappen carrying more minimum speed through Turn 10 than Norris
• 💪 Verstappen gets good rotation mid-corner despite being on harder tires

Q & A

How did the Mercedes drivers perform in FP2 in Bahrain?

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finished P1 and P2 respectively in FP2, posting quick times early in the session on soft tires. However, the drivers cautioned not to read too much into the results at this stage.

Why does the author think Lewis Hamilton will be relaxed and quick this season?

The author believes the pressure is off Hamilton after the events of Abu Dhabi 2021. Having made the decision to move to Ferrari in 2025, Hamilton can now just focus on driving and enjoying himself without worrying about the championship.

How did Max Verstappen's long run pace compare to the Mercedes drivers' in FP2?

Verstappen showed very consistent pace in the mid 36s throughout his long run, while the Mercedes drivers started quickly but their times slowly dropped into the 37s later in the run. This suggests Red Bull had a strong long run pace advantage.

Where did Ferrari's race pace seem to stand relative to Mercedes and Red Bull?

Ferrari started slower than Mercedes but matched or exceeded their pace in the second half of the long run. They were still behind Red Bull's consistency but appeared to have reasonable pace, likely with more to come.

How competitive did McLaren look based on Lando Norris' long run data?

Norris' long run times matched up very closely to what the Mercedes drivers were doing. This suggests McLaren have closed the gap to the front and are in the mix, backing up teammate Oscar Piastri's quick laps.

What surprised the author about Charles Leclerc's practice start telemetry?

The author was impressed by the SF90's rapid acceleration, noting the quick times to 200 km/hr despite Leclerc commenting he was lazy releasing the clutch off the line.

What differences did the author notice between Verstappen and Norris's lines through turns 9 and 10?

Verstappen took a wider line into turn 9 and got the car settled earlier in turn 10, allowing him to stay on the throttle through the exit and carry more speed onto the straight.