The curtain has closed on the 2024 F1 Pre-Season Testing in Bahrain, leaving behind a trail of insights and questions. While it's still early days, some teams emerged looking confident, while others have work to do before the season opener. Let's delve into the winners and losers of pre-season testing:
Red Bull: The reigning champions stole the show with their RB20. Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez clocked impressive mileage and topped the qualifying simulations, suggesting a dominant car. However, they haven't revealed their full potential yet.
Ferrari: Gone are the tire woes that plagued them last year. Both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz reported a more predictable and compliant car, putting them in contention as Red Bull's main challengers.
Mercedes: After a disastrous 2023, Mercedes showed significant improvement. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell are optimistic about the car's drivability and potential for development, aiming to reclaim their winning ways.
AlphaTauri: Despite not being expected to challenge at the front, AlphaTauri had a solid showing. Daniel Ricciardo consistently finished within the top five, and they completed good mileage without major issues.
Alpine: Despite downplaying expectations, Alpine remained largely anonymous during testing. They completed fewer laps compared to last year and weren't as impressive in simulations, leaving them with work to do.
Haas: While topping the mileage charts, Haas' reality is they might struggle to qualify for Q2 or fight for points initially. Their focus on last year's car might leave them behind in the short term.
Williams: Their new car concept faced teething issues, costing them valuable track time. However, they responded well to problems, and their final day offered hope for a car competitive on various tracks, not just those favoring straight-line speed.
Aston Martin: While content with their performance and finishing fourth in simulations, their ambitions might be loftier. They'll need to close the gap to the top teams if they want to fulfill their aspirations.
Remember, this is just a snapshot. The season is long, and teams have the potential to develop and surprise throughout the year. So, buckle up and get ready for an exciting F1 2024!
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