Mercedes
Like a lot of the groups, Mercedes targeting medium tyre operating within the opening session whereas the observe was scorching. However underneath the lights their automotive got here alive, with Hamilton quickest of all on each his first and second set of soppy tyres. His hole on the second set of tyres was fairly wholesome – which bodes very nicely going into qualifying tomorrow. Russell was a few tenths again, however is a confirmed performer over one lap and can fancy his probabilities in qualifying.
READ MORE: ‘It’s a shock’ – Hamilton left stunned by Mercedes’ early tempo in Bahrain
Lewis Hamilton – FP1: 1:33.302, P9; FP2: 1:30.374, P1
“It was very windy in FP1, and the observe was very totally different to in the course of the take a look at. We didn’t know precisely the place we’d stack up in opposition to everybody else, however we had a constructive FP2 session. The automotive was feeling good, however we are able to’t get forward of ourselves. We all know there’s extra to extract, and our future tempo isn’t within the combat with the Crimson Bulls.
“General although, I’m feeling a lot happier with the automotive than final 12 months. We’ve made some good enhancements and it feels rather more like a race automotive. It’s a very good platform for us to construct from. We simply must hold our heads down and hold chasing.”
George Russell – FP1: 1:33.251, P7; FP2: 1:30.580, P2
“We’re not going to get carried away after sooner or later of follow. Our qualifying tempo did look sturdy. We made some adjustments from the take a look at and the advance did exceed our expectations. However finally our future tempo is the place it counts. Verstappen appeared comfortably quickest, and it was very tight with the Ferraris, the McLarens, and the Aston Martins. So we’ve possible obtained an actual combat on our arms there.
“Nonetheless, we’re happy with how our day has gone. The automotive is performing nicely; we’ll sit down and perceive the place the primary enhancements got here from and attempt to maintain that. We wish to be combating for good positions on Saturday evening.”
Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director
“Following the take a look at we have been most involved about our single lap tempo. We had each drivers within the simulator earlier than returning right here. From the operating right this moment, it appears like we have now improved. We’re definitely not getting carried away, as there’s loads of scope inside energy unit modes and gas hundreds for a number of automobiles to discover a chunk of time earlier than tomorrow. It is encouraging although that the image we had final week appears to have improved.
“The long term information additionally appears shut. Verstappen continues to be comfortably out entrance, as we noticed final week, however behind him it should be a decent battle for the remaining podium spots. We all know we’ve obtained lots to superb tune on the steadiness. It is nonetheless early days with the W15, and we’re studying how one can get lap-time out of it with every run, but it surely’s already feeling very totally different to the final two years that we have now been right here.”
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – FEBRUARY 29: Lewis Hamilton of Nice Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Group W15 on observe throughout follow forward of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain Worldwide Circuit on February 29, 2024 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Picture by Clive Rose/Getty Photographs)
Ferrari
Bar one huge lock up from Sainz, FP1 was a quiet session for Ferrari who appeared content material to simply crack on with their programme on the medium tyres. They opted for some qualifying simulation runs initially of the night session, with each drivers very a lot within the combine. Sainz wound up forward of his group mate after Leclerc made a mistake within the remaining nook on his final run – one thing he was fast to come clean with.
Charles Leclerc – FP1: 1:33.268, P8; FP2: 1:31.113, P9
“First day completed. Not a lot to say, because it’s very tough to learn our competitiveness for now however there have been no huge surprises. It was good to be again within the automotive alongside all the opposite drivers to kick off the season. Now we have now numerous work to do, particularly by way of steadiness. Let’s examine the place we stand tomorrow.”
Carlos Sainz – FP1: 1:33.385, P11; FP2: 1:30.769, P4
“It was a trickier follow day in comparison with testing with decrease temps and better winds, which made it harder to be constant on observe. We clearly don’t know the run plan of the others, however by way of competitiveness it appears like we’re kind of the place we anticipated to be. Aside from that, I really feel we have now had an excellent Thursday, finishing all our programme and tyre testing. Now it’s time to analyse the information and prepare for tomorrow’s quali. I stay up for it, it appears prefer it’s going to be tight!”
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – FEBRUARY 29: Carlos Sainz of Spain driving (55) the Ferrari SF-24 within the Pitlane throughout follow forward of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain Worldwide Circuit on February 29, 2024 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Picture by Peter Fox – Components 1/Components 1 by way of Getty Photographs)
Crimson Bull
Crimson Bull began the day with some gear shifting points for Verstappen, though on the medium tyres the Dutchman nonetheless appeared fast. However come the night session, Crimson Bull weren’t a match for Mercedes on the softs. Actually, Verstappen wasn’t a match for Aston Martin, McLaren or Ferrari both and will solely end sixth. With Perez down in P10, are Crimson Bull struggling or merely sandbagging? Solely time will inform.
READ MORE: Verstappen ‘not too anxious’ after follow in Bahrain as he predicts ‘very shut’ qualifying
Max Verstappen – FP1: 1:33.238, P6; FP2: 1:30.851, P6
“The follow classes right this moment weren’t excellent however we weren’t too far off. The lengthy runs have been fairly respectable, and I feel we are able to at all times do some higher on these laps. There have been just a few small steadiness points that we’ll work on however I’m fairly pleased with all the pieces with the automotive general. At this time was nearly looking for that candy spot and getting the proper steadiness within the automotive. Performing nicely in qualifying is vital, so we’ll make certain the automotive is in fine condition forward of tomorrow. I’m not too anxious in regards to the hole to P1 and we aren’t trying an excessive amount of on the others and are simply specializing in ourselves in the meanwhile. It’s going to be very shut in qualifying however we’ll try to work a bit extra and combat for pole tomorrow.”
Sergio Perez – FP1: 1:33.4413, P12; FP2: 1:31.115, P10
“I feel these classes have been key and really attention-grabbing, we have now a lots to discover on the automotive, that we didn’t have the possibility to throughout testing, so we’re exploring it now with the mechanical steadiness right here and there. The nice factor is that no matter we do on efficiency runs appears to assist the lengthy runs. We simply have one goal, which is to make a extra balanced automotive and that may make issues higher for the race and qualifying. At this time was as anticipated. We heard lots of people saying that we have been a second forward after testing, which made me smile as a result of I knew issues can be quite a bit nearer. It’s trying very aggressive throughout the grid, and it’ll be tight on Friday evening in quali.”
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – FEBRUARY 29: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Crimson Bull Racing prepares to drive within the storage throughout follow forward of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain Worldwide Circuit on February 29, 2024 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Picture by Mark Thompson/Getty Photographs)
McLaren
McLaren have been the one high group in FP1 to run the smooth tyres, though they ran them sooner than RB earlier than the observe had absolutely rubbered in. That meant they solely had one set of the C3 rubber for FP2, and thus solely had one set of flying laps. Piastri nailed his to land firmly within the combine, however Norris made a mistake on his run and that’s why he wound up to date down the order.
READ MORE: ‘Constructive’ Piastri believes McLaren are within the combine whereas Norris rues ‘messy’ follow day
Lando Norris – FP1: 1:32.901, P2; FP2: 1:32.608, P20
“It’s been an inexpensive day. I’m pleased with how Thursday went general. We made some progress with the automotive, there are nonetheless loads of issues to enhance on, however we improved the steadiness and I obtained extra comfy, which is an effective factor. I didn’t do an ideal job in placing a lap collectively, so it wasn’t a really consultant day on the timesheets, however general, an excellent first day and an excellent begin to the weekend.”
Oscar Piastri – FP1: 1:33.113, P3; FP2: 1:30.784, P5
“It was an excellent session. I felt like we have been fairly aggressive in each high and low gas operating. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see what we’re like tomorrow, however I feel it was a fairly strong day general. I used to be pleased with my driving, and we obtained some good data out of the session. It is going to be attention-grabbing to see what the grid is like when all of the sandbags are gone, however I feel we’re about the place we anticipated to be and we’re in an excellent place going into tomorrow.”
Andrea Stella, Group Principal
“General, a productive first day of follow. We had no main points and we obtained by means of our take a look at programme. Despite the fact that we’ve had three days of testing, there’s at all times quite a bit to finalise in relation to the race weekend, and right this moment we labored on setup. It was additionally vital to develop our understanding of the tyres in circumstances that have been colder compared to the take a look at.
“Oscar had an excellent session each on new tyres and lengthy runs, whereas Lando couldn’t full his single timed lap on the Delicate, which meant his place within the classification was not very significant. However we’re pleased with the knowledge we’ve acquired, and we appear to be in an honest place to attain factors. We’ll attempt to maximise our bundle tomorrow and put ourselves in the very best place for the remainder of the weekend.”
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – FEBRUARY 29: Lando Norris of Nice Britain and McLaren prepares to drive within the storage throughout follow forward of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain Worldwide Circuit on February 29, 2024 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Picture by Peter Fox – Components 1/Components 1 by way of Getty Photographs)
Aston Martin
Stroll struggled in FP1 after locking up a few instances, with the wind seeming to upset his steadiness and rhythm. He fared higher underneath the lights as soon as the wind died down barely, however he couldn’t fairly match his group mate on the market. Alonso picked up the place he left off right here final 12 months, trying exceptionally fast – though he did set his remaining flying lap barely later than some, and thus had the benefit of a extra rubbered in observe.
Fernando Alonso – FP1: 1:33.193, P5; FP2: 1:30.660, P3
“We centered on our programme right this moment and are pleased with the work we have completed.
“We used Medium tyres throughout FP1 after which centered our consideration extra in direction of the Softs in FP2. We learnt extra in regards to the automotive while making some constructive setup adjustments that we’re pleased with.
“It is vital to not learn an excessive amount of into the timesheets at this stage due to plenty of various factors and variables, however I’m feeling constructive and searching ahead to the primary Qualifying of the season.”
Lance Stroll – FP1: 1:33.868, P14; FP2: 1:30.891, P8
“General, it has been a strong day right here in Bahrain. I feel we made a step in FP2, the automotive felt good with the setup adjustments we made.
“I have never appeared absolutely into the long term tempo but however the automotive felt fairly good, in order that’s constructive.
“Clearly, it is nonetheless early days and we do not know what others have been doing with their gas hundreds within the session. We’ll know much more after Qualifying and the Grand Prix.”
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – FEBRUARY 29: Fernando Alonso of Spain driving the (14) Aston Martin AMR24 Mercedes on observe throughout follow forward of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain Worldwide Circuit on February 29, 2024 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Picture by Clive Mason/Getty Photographs)
Haas
Each Haas drivers have been considerably off the tempo in FP1, as they targeting testing new elements and refining their set-ups relatively than chasing pure velocity. However from the very again in FP1, Hulkenberg jumped himself firmly up into the highest 10 on his smooth tyre run in FP2 in what appears to be some excellent news for the group. Magnussen couldn’t fairly be a part of him up there, the Dane needing to up his sport over one-lap after being out-performed by his group mate final 12 months.
Nico Hulkenberg – FP1: 1:37.938, P20; FP2: 1:30.884, P7
“It was a fairly good Friday – the primary one of many 12 months – so not a lot of a reference but. This morning, we continued to deal with long-run and race-pace stuff, attempting a few issues. This afternoon was extra like a traditional program. The tempo over one lap was perhaps a bit surprising but in addition there’s no cause to get over-excited or over-ambitious now. I feel there have been just a few individuals who didn’t do low-fuel runs and have extra potential, but it surely’s going to be tight and enjoyable to see. I count on a really tight subject in qualifying, prefer it was final 12 months, it can proceed to be like that – so the smallest mistake can have a big effect. I’m not precisely positive the place we’ll slot in, however we’ll put all the pieces that we have now into tomorrow.”
Kevin Magnussen – FP1: 1:37.477, P19; FP2: 1:31.764, P14
“I feel it’s been a fairly respectable day. There’s nonetheless a giant uncertainty on different individuals’s gas hundreds and so forth. however once more we have been specializing in race runs and that was really good – I’m inspired to date. On low-fuel, it’s nonetheless going to be a giant studying curve as we haven’t had any operating – FP2 was the primary actual low-fuel run that we did, so tons to be taught there. It appears easier than the high-fuel operating, which I really feel like we’ve gone in the precise route with by way of tire-wear no less than. I’m curious to find out about the actual tempo of the automotive in race circumstances however tire degradation is healthier.”
Ayao Komatsu, Group Principal
“In FP1, it was a continuation of constructing on from the work of final week – trying on the high-fuel long-run efficiency – as a result of that’s nonetheless our greatest limitation. That’s why trying on the timesheets we have been backside two however we weren’t anxious about that, we have been centered on our program like we have been in testing. I’m completely happy that we realized a few issues that led to adjustments for FP2.
“In FP2, the circumstances have been very totally different in comparison with testing, it was really fairly chilly. In each classes, it was fairly windy and harder in comparison with testing as nicely. In FP2, we checked out our low-fuel efficiency for the primary time because the third day of testing. Once more, we didn’t get the very best out of it however having mentioned that, the lap Nico put in was fairly good, however that’s not my primary concern. We then did a high-fuel run – and it was okay – but it surely exhibits we’ve obtained a bit extra work to do. The issues we realized by means of testing have been mirrored right this moment and it exhibits that we’re in a greater place, however we should make one other step, so we’re actually centered on that.”
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – FEBRUARY 29: Nico Hulkenberg of Germany driving the (27) Haas F1 VF-24 Ferrari on observe throughout follow forward of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain Worldwide Circuit on February 29, 2024 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Picture by Clive Mason/Getty Photographs)
Williams
After a tough take a look at the place they misplaced loads of time to reliability woes, Williams had a significantly better opening day to the race weekend. Each drivers moved ahead up the order from the afternoon to the night session, with Albon winding up on the cusp of the highest 10. His one-lap tempo is well-known, so he should fancy his probabilities of what can be a shock Q3 berth tomorrow.
Alex Albon – FP1: 1:33.583, P13; FP2: 1:31.333, P11
“We have been comparatively stunned by our tempo in FP1 however by FP2, we discovered an excellent tempo on the Medium tyre, nonetheless misplaced somewhat bit on the Softs. The automobiles round us are faster than I’d like, particularly the Haas, so we have to take a look at what we are able to do higher. The automotive feels totally different behind the wheel but it surely’s not but translating to efficiency, so we have some work to do. Everybody appears to have made a giant step over the break as nicely, so it’s tough to say but it surely’s early days and there’s nonetheless quite a bit to be taught from the automotive.”
Logan Sargeant – FP1: 1:34.213, P16; FP2: 1:31.715, P13
“At this time was good. The automotive felt like a giant step ahead from the take a look at and exhibits that the work that Alex and the group did on day three was a step in the precise route. I’m typically pleased with the automotive and the steadiness. There’s some superb tuning to do however I’m fairly assured with the automotive I’ve beneath me, we simply must see the place we’re tempo sensible tomorrow. It’s good to be beginning my second season this weekend and I’m trying ahead to repeatedly enhancing myself and being constant by means of the 12 months.”
Dave Robson, Head of Car Efficiency
“It was good to get the automotive operating once more and have all 20 drivers on the observe. Inevitably groups begin to converge on run programmes as soon as we’re right into a race weekend and so the aggressive image turns into rather less fuzzy. That mentioned, we received’t know till tomorrow night what the order actually is.
“Each drivers had productive days regardless of the windy circumstances. The FW46 was performing nicely and reliably, and we have been capable of take a look at some totally different setup approaches, which helps to correlate the simulator to the observe, and prepares us for warmer occasions to return.
“We didn’t fairly get all the pieces from the Delicate tyres right this moment however we are able to enhance that tomorrow. We additionally want to observe the climate as we’ll possible face cool and calmer circumstances because the occasion progresses. There may be work to do however we have now a strong platform to construct on.”
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – FEBRUARY 29: Alexander Albon of Thailand driving the (23) Williams FW46 Mercedes on observe throughout follow forward of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain Worldwide Circuit on February 29, 2024 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Picture by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Photographs)
Kick Sauber
Zhou struggled with a brake concern initially of FP1 and did lose some operating in consequence. The group did bolt on the softs although, one in every of only a few to take action. Their night session didn’t begin nicely, with Bottas crossing the road on the finish of the pit lane earlier than the lights had gone inexperienced. The stewards had a take a look at that, and opted simply at hand the Finn a reprimand.
Valtteri Bottas – FP1: 1:33.354, P10; FP2: 1:32.001, P17
“It was good to lastly get the season underway with the primary follow classes of the 12 months and get some extra mileage in. I reckon we realized quite a bit since testing final week, working round and discovering extra in regards to the setup of our automotive: nonetheless, there’s some further work that must be completed, particularly on the single-lap efficiency. This’ll be our primary process in a single day and in the course of the remaining follow session tomorrow morning. It appears we’re nonetheless fairly near our primary rivals, and it’ll possible come all the way down to a handful of tenths in Qualifying tomorrow.”
Zhou Guanyu – FP1: 1:33.923, P15; FP2: 1:32.048, P19
“It was good to be again on observe in an official session. At this time’s circumstances have been fairly totally different from what we skilled throughout testing, which made it pretty attention-grabbing: we had some points within the morning, however our afternoon went fairly easily, and we have been capable of tick all our containers. Now, our focus is on getting all the pieces prepared forward of tomorrow’s qualifying: it’s tough to judge the true pecking order, as FP2 didn’t present the true potential of our efficiency and, equally, we don’t know what everybody else was doing. It’s a really shut midfield, as soon as once more, and we’d have a decent qualifying session.”
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – FEBRUARY 29: Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Stake F1 Group Kick Sauber prepares to drive within the storage throughout follow forward of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain Worldwide Circuit on February 29, 2024 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Picture by Peter Fox – Components 1/Components 1 by way of Getty Photographs)
Alpine
Alpine struggled on Thursday in Bahrain, winding up with each drivers down the order in each classes. That doesn’t bode nicely for the French outfit, who did say after the top of testing that they didn’t have excessive expectations going into this one. Ocon complained in regards to the steadiness of his A524, whereas Gasly sounded pissed off on the radio at factors. Work to do in a single day for Alpine.
Esteban Ocon – FP1: 1:34.807, P17; FP2: 1:32.027, P18
“It was a productive day of Follow the place we ran by means of totally different programmes and learnt extra in regards to the automotive. The morning session was notably tough with the windy circumstances, however the automotive felt significantly better in FP2. We appear to be higher within the night in cooler circumstances in comparison with the morning session. That’s one thing to be constructive about, as they’re the circumstances we’ll be Qualifying in tomorrow and racing in on Saturday. We glance extra aggressive within the lengthy runs, however we have to discover extra tempo over a single lap to place us in a greater place for Qualifying. We’ll analyse the information in a single day and work arduous to unlock some efficiency, particularly in Qualifying trim.”
Pierre Gasly – FP1: 1:35.144, P18; FP2: 1:31.951, P16
“We’re again on observe for the primary Follow of the season. We tried some issues on the automotive all through the day, which resulted in some constructive learnings. The automotive was definitely trickier within the first session underneath the recent and gusty circumstances. We reverted some issues and I had a greater feeling within the automotive within the night session. We all know the efficiency will not be fairly the place we would like it to be however we’re persevering with to know increasingly every time we’re on observe. Endurance is required and we’ll attempt to make the very best with the bundle we have now in our arms proper now. The group and I are working arduous to maintain discovering efficiency. We’ll see what we are able to do tomorrow and on Saturday and I’m able to hold pushing.”
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – FEBRUARY 29: Pierre Gasly of France driving the (10) Alpine F1 A524 Renault on observe throughout follow forward of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain Worldwide Circuit on February 29, 2024 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Picture by Clive Rose/Getty Photographs)
Pirelli
Simone Berra, Chief Engineer
“A really attention-grabbing day, as a result of we obtained our first indications of the hierarchy down the pit lane, even when one has to take note of the standard unknown elements reminiscent of how a lot gas the automobiles had on board and the way the ability unit was used. We noticed the groups make virtually an identical decisions by way of tyre utilization, with a choice for the C2 within the first session and the C3 within the second, when observe circumstances have been much like these we are able to count on for the race, whereas the 2 units of C1 have been saved for the remainder of the weekend. The lengthy runs in FP2 have been virtually all completed on the C3 and demonstrated that even the softest compound could possibly be aggressive over a protracted stint. As for the C2, we already noticed in testing that the distinction in efficiency in comparison with the C1 will not be so huge, however the hardest compound ensures higher consistency and is due to this fact the popular selection for the race.”
HIGHLIGHTS: Catch the FP2 motion as Hamilton leads the way in which for Mercedes
