The first F1 day of 2024 is over. Time to close this blog.
Tomorrow we will be back to you with a blog about the third training (at 1:30 PM) and the qualification (at 5:00 PM). At the end of the third session of qualifying we will know where the teams really stand. So that will be an exciting day.
Marko is not worried after Verstappen’s sixth fastest time
Verstappen rode the sixth fastest time twice today. Red Bull celebrity Helmut Marko explained why this does not worry him at all.
“We haven’t fully revved our engines yet,” said the Austrian. “We are in a good position and just want to win this race and the coming weekends.”
Marko likes that competitors Mercedes, Ferrari and Aston Martin seem to be evenly matched. “We are extremely optimistic.”
What do people think of that bright green Sauber?
The extremely green Saubers attract attention in Bahrain. We asked our F1 reporter Louis Dekker how they view the striking design in the paddock.
“It is noted here that Sauber created this design to get the car on TV a lot. Because it certainly stands out. It is already called ‘candy stick’ or ‘fluorescent frog’ here.”
NOS/Louis DekkerThe bright green Sauber shoots past in Bahrain
VT2 Bahrain | Verstappen with fourth fastest time
All drivers have completed at least one lap. Hamilton has the fastest time. Verstappen rode the fourth fastest time.
It doesn’t say too much, although it is nice that now, just like during the race, we are driving in the dark.
Team bosses respond to completed Horner investigation
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff is not impressed by Red Bull Racing’s statement about team boss Christian Horner. On Wednesday, Red Bull announced that Horner had been cleared of misconduct, after a complaint was previously filed against him and an investigation was started with an independent lawyer. “I read the statement and it was quite poor. We don’t know the details, but it is not transparent enough.”
“As competitors, we also get questions about this. As a sport, we cannot afford to let this hang over us like a dark cloud. F1 has a duty to see for itself whether this is okay. We are outsiders, so it is difficult to assess.”
McLaren CEO Zak Brown also believes transparency is important: “There are still many rumours, questions and speculation. We are ambassadors of this sport, on and off the track. It must be transparent and thorough. There will now remain speculation because many questions remain unanswered.” “F1 owner Liberty and the FIA must ensure that we all adhere to the rules in this area. We must trust them in this.”
ReutersToto Wolff
Anniversary race in the dark
This year the Bahrain International Circuit celebrates its twentieth anniversary. In 2004, the track still had a rather dreary appearance when it opened. The first nine editions were held in daylight. During the first race it literally looked like an asphalt strip in the desert. There wasn’t much spectacle on the circuit either.
From 2014 onwards, the race was completed under artificial lighting. It turned out, coincidentally or not, to be the recipe for improvement. In the first night race, Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg fought a phenomenal battle for victory.
There was also a great duel two years ago, when Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen crossed swords. That race was won by Leclerc.
AFP
The circuit in Bahrain in 2004
AFP
The circuit during last year’s race
VT1 Bahrain | Here we go!
Finally, the season has started. Of course, the real work will come later this week, with qualifying on Friday and the race on Saturday, but this is the start.
It is hot and dry in Bahrain, so the training drivers have to pay a little attention to their tire wear.
Reuters
Can you catch up a bit in Bahrain?
Certainly. Drivers can overtake well, especially on the long start-finish, especially because of the slow first corner, where they can outbrake a competitor. After the first combination of bends there is another straight section, where the lost position can be regained.
The second sector is technical, with a number of fast bends, followed by two hairpin bends where it is difficult to find the right speed.
The last part of the track has more straight stretches, where you can line up for a new overtaking attempt on the long straight stretch.
Horner: ‘I’m just glad the process is over’
Team boss Christian Horner: “I’m just happy that the process is over. Obviously I can’t comment on it, but here the focus now is very much on the Bahrain Grand Prix and the coming season and trying to defend both of our titles.”
When asked if it was unfortunate that the trial became public, Horner again declined to comment. “I am happy to be here in Bahrain and focused with the team on the coming season,” he said.
Red Bull has indicated that the investigation report will remain confidential.
Lammers and Doornbos: ‘Excusing Horner has no impact on Verstappen’s performance’
Getty ImagesChristian Horner and Max Verstappen last week in Bahrain
After a few turbulent weeks in Formula 1, today the news came that Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner has been acquitted of inappropriate behavior. In recent weeks, Red Bull, Max Verstappen’s team, conducted an internal investigation after a complaint was filed against Horner.
Former Formula 1 drivers Jan Lammers and Robert Doornbos do not think that Verstappen has been distracted by the matter. Lammers: “Horner is the policymaker and he manages people, but it is not about the people he has to work with directly. I don’t think Max notices much of it.”
Problem pits on Bahrain’s Formula 1 circuit filled with concrete
The loose manhole covers that caused problems in Bahrain last week during the Formula 1 test days will no longer cause any problems during the race on Saturday. The organization has filled the pits with concrete. Additional welding work has also been carried out to prevent new nuisance.
Motorsport federation FIA reports that work has been carried out around turns seven and eleven. Charles Leclerc suffered damage last week because he drove over a loose manhole cover.
The incidents were reminiscent of last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix. Then Carlos Sainz drove over a loose manhole cover during the first training session, damaging his Ferrari. As a result, he had to replace parts of his car, which earned him a grid penalty of ten places.
