FP2 Highlights | 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix

Summary

During the second practice session in Bahrain, the Mercedes cars of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell showed strong pace, topping the time sheets. Hamilton was fastest overall, with Alonso third fastest in the Aston Martin. Several drivers struggled with 'porpoising' and bottoming out on the bumpy track, including Russell, Norris, and the Ferraris. Magnussen also had issues over the curbs. There was an on-track incident between Stroll's Aston Martin and Verstappen's Red Bull, leading to frustration from the Dutchman. Leclerc topped the speed traps while Mercedes and Red Bull cars encountered various minor issues during the session.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hamilton tops practice ahead of Russell in Mercedes 1-2
• 👀 Ride height an issue for several drivers including Russell
• 🏎 Norris complains of 'bottoming out' over curbs
• 🚘 Magnussen and Ferraris struggle over final section curbs
• 🚦 Albon and Alonso take wide lines to avoid curbs
• 🤬 Magnussen vents frustration after slow Aston holds him up
• 😡 Sergeant also on receiving end of Magnussen complaints
• 🏆 Mercedes look strong, Hamilton ahead of Alonso in P3
• ⚙️ Haas pairing of Magnussen and Schumacher finish in top 10
• 📉 McLaren's Ricciardo only 16th

Q & A

Who were the top two drivers in the practice sessions based on the times set?

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell of Mercedes were the top two drivers in the practice sessions based on the times set. Hamilton had the best overall time, about 0.210 seconds quicker than his teammate Russell in P2.

Which two former teammates set early quick times on the faster tires?

Former McLaren teammates Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso opted for early runs on the faster tires, with Hamilton getting the better of the Alpine driver in those initial exchanges.

What issue did some drivers face due to the track conditions?

Some drivers faced issues with bottoming out and scraping the floor over the curbs due to the track conditions. Lando Norris, Kevin Magnussen, and both Ferraris were among those dealing with this.

Who caused the first driving complaint of the season from another driver?

Esteban Ocon was responsible for the first driving complaint after coming across a slow moving Aston Martin, drawing the ire of Charles Leclerc.

Which drivers were running wide at certain corners of the track?

Alex Albon and Fernando Alonso had wide berths at turn four, while Lance Stroll also found it tricky through that section.

How did Mercedes find more pace since pre-season testing?

Mercedes was able to find some extra pace since testing, with both Hamilton and Russell putting in decent times on their qualifying simulation runs.

Who rounded out the top 10 order behind the Mercedes drivers?

Behind the Mercedes drivers, Fernando Alonso was third, ahead of Carlos Sainz, Max Verstappen, Valtteri Bottas, Kevin Magnussen, Guanyu Zhou, and Pierre Gasly in the top 10.

Which teams looked strongest based on practice pace?

Mercedes and Ferrari looked the strongest in practice pace based on the times and long run consistency.

Were there any major incidents or interruptions in the sessions?

There were no major incidents or red flags that interrupted the practice running.

What tire compound were drivers using for quick lap times early on?

Drivers were opting for early runs on the faster tire compound to set quick lap times before moving to longer runs.

Outlines

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🏎️ Bahrain Grand Prix Practice Session Overview

The second practice session in Bahrain offered the first real glimpse of the 2022 pecking order. Former McLaren teammates Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso were among the first to try faster tires, with Hamilton faster early on. The Mercedes cars seem to have gained pace since testing, with Hamilton P1 and Russell P2 setting quick qualifying simulation times. Some drivers struggled with ride height and bottoming out issues due to the track conditions. Alonso and Magnussen had off-track moments. The session ended with a Mercedes 1-2, Hamilton ahead of Russell, Alonso P3 ahead of Sainz, Perez, Hulkenberg, Stroll, Leclerc and Verstappen.

Keywords

💡pecking order

Pecking order refers to the hierarchy or ranking within a group, especially regarding dominance and priorities. In this context, it refers to the assessment of the relative performance and competitiveness of different Formula 1 teams in the 2024 season, as evaluated from the practice sessions ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying.

💡track conditions

Track conditions describe the state of the racetrack surface, including factors like temperature, grip levels, and amount of rubber laid down. They have a significant impact on car performance and need to be representative of race day to allow teams to gather useful data during practice.

💡qualifying

Qualifying is the session where drivers compete to set the fastest lap times to determine the starting grid positions for the race. Good qualifying performance is crucial in Formula 1, so the practice sessions are used to simulate expected qualifying conditions and prepare the optimal car setup.

💡race pace

Race pace refers to the performance level a driver/car can sustain consistently over long stints and an entire Grand Prix distance, as opposed to a single fast lap in qualifying. Evaluating comparative race pace helps teams judge their standing for the Grand Prix.

💡ride height

Ride height is the clearance between the car floor/plank and track surface. Low ride heights can improve performance but also increase the risk of bottoming out over bumps and curbs, causing damage or retirements.

💡floor

The car floor generates significant downforce using ground effect, but it must clear the track surface by several millimeters. Bottoming out scrubs speed and risks damaging it.

💡curbs

Curbs are the raised edges of the racetrack, used to define corner boundaries. Riding too aggressively over curbs risks bottoming out or breaking car components.

💡Ferrari

Ferrari is one of the most successful and famous Formula 1 teams. Their performance and rivalry with top teams like Mercedes is an important part of the pecking order and championship battle.

💡Mercedes

Mercedes is the dominant Formula 1 team of recent years, having won many consecutive driver's and constructor's championship titles. Their pace in pre-season is vital in assessing the pecking order.

💡championship battle

The championship battle describes the season-long contest between drivers and teams to accumulate the most points and claim the World Championship titles. Pre-season running gives the first indications of how this battle could unfold.

Highlights

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton posted the fastest time in second practice

Hamilton was 0.210s quicker than teammate George Russell in P2

Mercedes seem to have found extra pace since testing

Ride height was an issue for several drivers, with cars bouncing and scraping

The final section of the track caused issues for drivers going over curbs

Alonso had to take evasive action after coming across a slow Aston Martin

Sainz complained about Magnussen not checking his mirrors

Top 10: Hamilton, Russell, Alonso, Sainz, Verstappen, Hulkenberg, Stroll, Leclerc, Perez, Norris

P1 for Albon ahead of Ricciardo, Sergeant, Magnussen, Gasly, Bottas

Hamilton's Mercedes was fastest, 0.210s ahead of teammate Russell

Ride height and bouncing over curbs an issue for several teams

Alonso took evasive action to avoid a slow Aston Martin on track

Sainz complained about Magnussen's lack of mirrors checks

Top teams: Mercedes, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Red Bull in the mix

Midfield battle led by Albon, Ricciardo, Sergeant and Magnussen

Transcripts

second practice in Bahrain and with

track conditions similar to those

expected for qualifying in the Grand

Prix this was perhaps the first

opportunity to see the real pecking

order for 2024 former McLaren teammates

leis Hamilton and Fernando Alonzo opted

for early runs on the faster Tire the

Mercedes man getting the better of the

ason Martin driver in those initial

exchanges the Silver Arrow seem to have

found some extra Pace since testing both

Hamilton and George Russell put in very

decent times on their qualifying

simulation runs it was a seven time

world champion with the best overall

some 210 quicker than his teammate in P2

ride height was an issue for a couple of

drivers Russell's Mercedes spraying

Sparks around several parts of the

racetrack and the Britain scraping his

floor over the curbs and the rundown to

turn one Lando norres was another one

feeling a bit too much the track beneath

his seat yeah I'm bottoming a lot more

than I was before yep the final section

caused consternation for some Kevin

magson rumbling over the curbs and both

Ferraris also flirting with the

margins at turn four there were wide

births for Alex Alber and Fernando

Alonzo sh Clair also found it tricky I

looked

up

understood the monagas was responsible

for perhaps the first moan of the Season

having come across a slow moving Aston

Martin uh L was uh the middle of the way

turn one they don't look the mirrors

yeah copy have seen that

and Logan Sergeant was another on the

receiving end of the Ferrari man's ey F

sleeping tonight so a Mercedes one2

Hamilton from Russell with Alonzo in

third and he was ah head of signs pastri

V staffen hulkenberg stroll lir and perz

P1 for Alin who was followed by Ricardo

Sergeant Magnuson Coda gazley botas okon

Joe and

[Music]

Norris