by The new Formula One season kicks off in Bahrain on Saturday with Max Verstappen bidding to win a fourth consecutive world championship.
Here, the PA news agency looks at the key issues heading into the 2024 campaign.
Who is the favorite to win the title?
Oh God! It’s even Xing about it! He is happy. He’s kidding us. He knows. This year will be one long victory. You can’t beg anyone for their success. All we have to do is watch and admire. But, there is still a long way to go. Anything can happen! #f1 #BahrainGP https://t.co/AoWZkccysi
— Damon Hill (@HillF1) February 22, 2024
Red Bull’s preparations for the new season are overshadowed by the allegations facing team principal Christian Horner. Horner, who is fighting to save his career after claims of “inappropriate behaviour” by a female colleague, insists it is business as usual at Red Bull. It was only on the road for the team that had been leading the sport for the past two seasons. But on the road it was precisely.
Verstappen – in an upgrade to the machine that carried him to 19 wins from 22 rounds last year – set a blistering pace on the opening day of testing last week, finishing 1.1 seconds faster than anyone else.
Damon Hill, the 1996 world champion, summed up the terrible feeling in the paddock. Writing about Verstappen on ‘X’ he said: “He’s glowing. He’s kidding us. He knows. This year will be one long victory. You can’t beg anyone for their success. All we have to do is watch and respect.”
So, can anyone challenge Verstappen and Red Bull?
Ferrari finished last year with five pole positions from the final nine races and Carlos Sainz took the only non-Red Bull win of the season in Singapore. The Italian team worked hard over the winter to transfer their one-off speed to race conditions, where they have tended to struggle in 2023.
They will take solace in a trouble-free test and their pace seemed quite encouraging too. Sainz topped the time charts on day two, while Leclerc finished the final day fastest – albeit on faster rubber than Verstappen.
An impressive Leclerc said: “We’re in a much better place and it’s an easier car to drive. The feeling was good. We have been consistent straight away and this will help us in the race.”
And what about Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Hamilton shocked the sporting world when he chose to quit Mercedes and join Ferrari in 2025. The news broke earlier this month and is likely to be difficult for those at Mercedes to digest. Hamilton made the decision – one he described as the hardest of his life – after two winless years with the Silver Arrows.
Mercedes has a new design philosophy for the new campaign but – although Hamilton and team-mate George Russell talked about an improved, more reliable machine – there was little to say from the test that they closed the gap to Red Bull.
Mercedes finished ahead of Ferrari in last year’s constructors’ championship but don’t be surprised if the Scuderia start the new season ahead of them.
What about the other teams?
McLaren came alive in the second half of 2023, with Lando Norris scoring seven podiums. But the British team did not look at last year’s form in Bahrain last week – although it is a track that has not always suited them in recent seasons.
Aston Martin finished fifth in the constructors’ championship, with Fernando Alonso, now 42, leading for a second season. Alpine is set to dominate the midfield, likely to be followed by Williams, the newly rebranded teams RB and Sauber (nee AlphaTauri and Alfa Romeo) and Haas.
Were there any driver changes?
No. This season’s team is the same as last year – the first time it has ever happened. But with Hamilton already announcing he is moving to Ferrari for 2025 and 13 of the 20 drivers out of contract at the end of the season – next year’s grid will certainly have a different take on it.
What else happened during the winter break?
In addition to Hamilton’s massive move, soon-to-be Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc has come up with a new deal that is expected to keep the 26-year-old Monegasque dressed in red until 2029. Lando Norris his tenure with McLaren also until the end of 2026 at least.
F1 leaders blocked Andretti’s move to become the 11th team on the grid. The British Grand Prix will remain on the calendar for another decade after Silverstone agreed a new long-term deal with American F1 owners Liberty Media.
What does the calendar look like?
There will be a record 24 races – the longest season ever – starting in Bahrain on March 2 and ending in Abu Dhabi nine months and six days later.
The Chinese Grand Prix returns after a five-year absence, with the round in Japan moving from its traditional October slot to April. There are six sprint races in China, Miami, Austria, Austin, Qatar and Brazil on the roster. The format has been tinkered with, too. Sprint qualifying will now take place on Friday, with the grid set for Sunday’s main event on Saturday, following the shortened race.
What else do I need?
The opening two races will take place on Saturday. The Muslim holy period of Ramadan begins on March 10. Therefore, the second round in Saudi Arabia has been brought forward by one day. According to FIA rules there must be one week between races, which means the Bahrain GP will be 24 hours earlier than usual.
