Crimson Bull seemed to be a category above the remainder in pre-season testing, with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez feeling immediately house within the RB20. A number of others had loads to smile about, too, however some have been left craving extra time and extra mileage forward of the season opener. So, for the primary time this season, we’ve picked out 4 winners and 4 losers from three days of testing on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit…
Winners: Crimson Bull
Crimson Bull bought folks speaking from the second they unveiled their 2024 challenger – the RB20 – at their Milton Keynes base earlier this month, and their antics on monitor in testing did nothing to dampen the overwhelming feeling the reigning world champions have constructed a monster of a automotive for this season.
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Verstappen and Perez managed 390 laps between them, placing them third on the mileage charts. Once you dig into the standard of that operating, you’ll discover a machine that was quickest within the qualifying simulations by 0.28s and 0.10s forward in race trim.
That is solely testing, in fact, nevertheless it’s seemingly Crimson Bull have solely simply scratched the floor with their dramatically totally different automotive – and will effectively stretch their legs as they study extra about extract the utmost potential.
Losers: Alpine
Alpine moved to minimize expectations at their launch – and that technique continued into testing as they remained largely nameless through the three days of operating.
Boss Bruno Famin mentioned they accomplished their deliberate programme – nonetheless they have been solely eighth within the mileage charts, clocking up 200 fewer kilometres in comparison with what they achieved final yr.
Their race simulation tempo wasn’t too dangerous – the Enstone group fifth within the rankings, 0.06s per lap slower than Aston Martin and whereas they have been a much less spectacular ninth in qualifying trim, a caveat is that they have been the one group aside from McLaren to not deliver any gentle tyres to testing.
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Winners: Ferrari
Ferrari have been one of many large winners in pre-season testing – not as a result of they set the tempo on the ultimate day of testing however fairly they appear to have cured the tyre degradation points that plagued them on a Grand Prix afternoon final yr.
Each Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz mentioned they felt a lot extra assured when pushing the automotive, which was rather more predictable and compliant in comparison with the Prancing Horse’s predecessor.
Whereas Ferrari are usually robust round Bahrain anyway, they will take coronary heart from their spectacular race simulations – which places them as Crimson Bull’s chief challengers 0.1s off the tempo – whereas nonetheless retaining an honest flip of pace over one-lap (they have been a match for Mercedes and 0.3s adrift of Crimson Bull.
Losers: Haas
It may appear harsh to place Haas within the losers class given the disruptive winter they endured with Group Principal Guenther Steiner and Technical Director Simone Resta leaving the operation and the actual fact they topped the mileage charts in testing.
Sure, they are going to be happy to have clocked up over 400 laps of the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit and delivered lap occasions to recommend they gained’t be lower adrift of the sector, regardless of having diverted quite a lot of useful resource to their Austin improve final yr fairly than the brand new automotive.
However the actuality is the group are prone to wrestle to get out of Q1 and battle for factors at this weekend’s season opener within the Bahraini desert.
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Winners: Mercedes
Technical Director James Allison lower an optimistic determine after pre-season testing concluded. Positive, Mercedes gained’t be blissful till they’re combating for race wins and championships once more – however given the world of ache they discovered themselves in at testing final yr, their much-improved scenario is definitely one thing to write down house about.
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell reported the automotive was a lot nicer to drive than final yr’s automotive (which was referred to by Hamilton because the 2022 machine’s evil sister because it was gradual and unpredictable).
Importantly, they really feel like they’ve bought base to work with and add efficiency and thus, whereas they know they’re nonetheless someway off difficult Crimson Bull persistently for wins, in the event that they get the event proper this yr they really feel there’s scope to get within the battle.
Losers: Williams
Once you change idea as dramatically as Williams have over the winter, there are all the time going to be challenges if you put the automotive on the monitor – and that’s what transpired with a collection of mechanical gremlins costing the British group valuable mileage.
However they responded to each drawback impressively – and by the ultimate day, there have been shoots of hope that the brand new automotive was a step ahead and ought to be aggressive on a better vary of circuits, fairly than simply the circuits that rewarded good straight-line pace and low drag.
Alex Albon’s final race simulation was fairly respectable, relative to the likes of Fernando Alonso within the Aston Martin, and that may give Williams hope that if they will perceive their new machine shortly, this season may symbolize one other step in the direction of the sharp finish.
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Winners: RB
RB have been one of many darkish horses of pre-season testing, with Daniel Ricciardo placing the group contained in the top-five on every of the final two days of operating. Sure, it’s not price studying into occasions – however their mileage was good – 366 was solely 24 laps shy of Crimson Bull – and each Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda ran largely trouble-free.
Boss Laurent Mekies and CEO Peter Bayer have moved to calm expectations of the season, the group’s name to push growth onerous till the top of final yr means it’s seemingly we gained’t see an enormous step by way of upgrades till mid-season.
Nonetheless, the automotive they ended final yr with was very robust and along with a Crimson Bull-spec entrance and rear (each final yr’s spec) that did wonders for the world champions in 2023, there’s probability they’ll be combating in the direction of the sharp finish of the midfield early doorways.
Losers: Aston Martin
Aston Martin have been fairly pleased with their efforts in pre-season testing – and to finish up fourth in each our race simulation and qualifying-spec calculations is in no way one thing to scoff at.
Nonetheless, billionaire Lawrence Stroll’s group have hefty ambitions – and after the mega step they remodeled the winter final yr, they may maybe have hoped to have been a bit nearer to the sharp finish than testing suggests they’re.
We’ve solely had three days of testing, although, and with an aggressive growth plan within the pipeline and a automotive they hope will probably be extra receptive to new components, the most effective could but be to come back.
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