Predictions Based on the 2024 F1 Pre-Season Testing

By: Olena

Posted: February 24, 2024

Updated: February 24, 2024

The 2024 Formula 1 pre-season testing has just finished
Who is now predicted to dominate the Bahrain track in March?

The 2024 F1 pre-season testing has just finished. Predictably, Max Vertappen stands in the lead after three days of the first events in the upcoming season. As the reigning champion, the Dutch driver is anticipated to maintain his dominance on the track. However, are there any serious contenders to rival him this time around?

2024 F1 pre-season testing: Red Bull and Ferrari are in the lead

Red Bull brought some of the most interesting aerodynamic solutions, and such an aggressive tactic usually gives the team the upper hand. In contrast, others play catch up by copying Red Bull's previous year's car. As a result, Max Verstappen, driving one of the top F1 cars in 2024, won the first day of the 2024 F1 pre-season testing after beating the closest drivers by 1,2 seconds (Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc finished second and third respectively). Sergio Perez suffered brake issues, which were quickly fixed, and he showed a good time on the second day right after Carlos Sainz. The Ferrari has shown a decent pace to challenge the Red Bulls, but Gary Anderson pointed out that the car looks unstable under braking. It is safe to expect that the two teams occupy the first two rows in Qualifying at Sakhir. You can already bet on the Bahrain GP at 22Bet.

McLaren, Mercedes, and Aston Martin are one step behind

It seems Mercedes has taken a step back compared to where they were at the end of last year. Though George Russell set the second time on the previous day, he used one of the fastest tyre compounds and only managed to beat Verstappen on mediums by 0,4 of a second, which is not the gap expected from the difference between the two tyre sets. Lewis Hamilton most likely worked on the race pace as he did not set a competitive time throughout the 2024 F1 pre-season testing sessions.

2024 F1 pre-season testing — Picture Source: Public Domain Pictures

McLaren looks stable and confident in their abilities. Piastri set one of the best times using medium tyres on the last day, while Norris looked relaxed in the work that he was doing. Aston Martin also looks decent, especially on the race pace. It seems they engineered the car similar to last year's one and plan to get as many points on Sunday as possible. Mercedes and McLaren are predicted to fight for 4-7 spots on the grid, with Aston Martin just a little behind by the odds at online sportsbooks in Hungary.

Mid-pack: Alpine, Williams, and Kick Sauber

The "middle-of-the-pack" teams do not look too shabby either, and some of them might surprise us at the first Grand Prix in Bahrain. Both Alpine drivers are putting more effort than they would prefer, and the Alpine team, as a factory outfit, should be challenging the frontrunners more closely. However, the new A524 lacks the necessary downforce to compete in the top positions despite not making any obvious mistakes. Williams looks like they are ready to compete with mid-table teams. The car may have looked a little unstable, but it was still promising compared to Alpine's package. The Sauber car is the biggest unknown so far. The drivers were pleased with the handling and race pace despite visible instability in fast corners.

RB and HAAS are backmarkers in 2024

These two teams have very little hope after the 2024 F1 pre-season tests. On the first day, HAAS drivers lost to the closest opponent over a second and over two and a half on the next day. RB's Daniel Riccardo showed a few decent times but his teammate, Tsunoda, struggled with the car. Both HAAS and RB look like those cars that will be lapped not once but twice and thrice. After the 2024 F1 pre-season testing, we can finally reveal the Bahrain GP predictions for March 2nd from online gambling sites in Hungary: