F1 2024: Bahrain pre season testing (21-23 feb)

[GuidoK]

From 21 to 23 februari the F1 teams will have their only testing days on an F1 track from the calendar.

schedule:
https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2...n-Testing.html

track: Bahrain International Circuit



So lots of cars with flowviz and sensor racks to be seen.

However I don't expect the cars to go full out, so the fastest cars in the testing days might not win the upcoming Bahrain GP (held march 2nd)

[GuidoK]

So are we gonna see a RB car with just a vertical inlet slot?
I can't really understand how that's gonna work with a large sidepod that extends that vertical slot, so I think it's gonna have a 'conventional' air inlet slot at the front of the sidepod.
However, that vertical slot might be a preview of the rumours that RB is gonna race with a zeropod concept in Suzuka.
Or they're just doing this to give Toto some sleepless nights...

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

So are we gonna see a RB car with just a vertical inlet slot?
I can't really understand how that's gonna work with a large sidepod that extends that vertical slot, so I think it's gonna have a 'conventional' air inlet slot at the front of the sidepod.
However, that vertical slot might be a preview of the rumours that RB is gonna race with a zeropod concept in Suzuka.
Or they're just doing this to give Toto some sleepless nights...

Yes we can !

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Yes we can !

Already wearing my RBR hat...must worry Wolff more

[M5Rick]

As testing approaches there has been a lot of talk about RBR so MAX has a few things to say about what he thinks the situation at Mercedes with LEW will be driving for one more year with them but already signed up for Ferrari the following year.

[NickyC]

It's incredible to me that with the money involved in this sport, they get three limited days to test their machines before placing them in an actual grand prix. It just seems so dumb.

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by NickyC

It's incredible to me that with the money involved in this sport, they get three limited days to test their machines before placing them in an actual grand prix. It just seems so dumb.

It's indeed very very little, but it also shows how far windtunnel testing and CFD modelling has come.
Even these are time limited, and windtunnel testing is limited to 60% scale.

But the rules apply to everyone, and it arguably keeps the sport less expensive, levelling the field even more, where intellectual performance sets the bar and not how much money you have.

And F1 is of course looking at making the cars not too fast (dangerous, a death in the sport is very very bad for business), yet still have competitive racing.

And they don't want to go the cupracing route (everyone the same car) as no one watches that. Teams developing the best cars attracts a lot of paying spectators.

It only seems dumb if the goal is to make the fastest car possible, but that's not the goal of F1. Currently it's making the fastest car possible within a certain ruleset and with a budget that is realistic for every team.

However, what I do think is strange, is that these testing days are only 1 week prior to the first GP, so there is very little time for making adjustments and certainly not enough time to come up with a completely new concept.
There is of course also that 200?km of testing on your private track.

[M3WC]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

As testing approaches there has been a lot of talk about RBR so MAX has a few things to say about what he thinks the situation at Mercedes with LEW will be driving for one more year with them but already signed up for Ferrari the following year.

I would imagine there will be meetings and info Merc will keep from Lewis. Especially as they get closer to end of season.

[toxik]

Originally Posted by NickyC

It's incredible to me that with the money involved in this sport, they get three limited days to test their machines before placing them in an actual grand prix. It just seems so dumb.

i agree with you but its clearly done to create some drama and/or excitement. you gotta manufacture chaos sometimes.

[Killed by Death]

Only a few more hours of hope left for Ferrari fans

[M3WC]

So...what are the odds McLaren come out of the gate with the speed they showed the second half of last season?

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by M3WC

I would imagine there will be meetings and info Merc will keep from Lewis. Especially as they get closer to end of season.

Be interesting if team orders are introduced.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

Only a few more hours of hope left for Ferrari fans

Chas at the moment is 7/10's behind MAX with Fernie behind Chas being lap time wise. RUS has a porpoising 15.

[M5Rick]

Albon has a dead Merc PU and has to be pushed out of the way.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Yes we can !

MAX is 4/10's faster than his leading time from the morning session of the opening day of testing last year.

[Blindside_137]

Thank god we are almost back. First qualifying of the year is something special. Can’t wait for next week.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Blindside_137

Thank god we are almost back. First qualifying of the year is something special. Can’t wait for next week.

Agree for sure and it's back to normality with me, the winter break lasts too long.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

MAX is 4/10's faster than his leading time from the morning session of the opening day of testing last year.

MAX ran (already)! 109 laps .In his fastest laps when he pushed hard he was 1 sec. faster than the rest ...

Honestly ,so far that looks very promising !
Up to his '4th World Title in a row ...

[G30M]

not sure if these mean anything:

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 1:31.662

2. Lando Norris (McLaren) + 0.822

3. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) + 0.992

4. Daniel Ricciardo (RB) +1.284

5. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) + 1.412

6. Zhou Guanyu (Sauber) + 2.209

7. Logan Sargeant (Williams) + 2.220

8. George Russell (Mercedes) + 2.447

9. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas) + 4.244

10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) + 4.753

[M5Rick]

^ It means that MAX can bang in a time that the others have to plan and match if they can,
that he can suddenly do such a lap at will doesn't hold out much hope for the others I'm afraid.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

^ It means that MAX can bang in a time that the others have to plan and match if they can,
that he can suddenly do such a lap at will doesn't hold out much hope for the others I'm afraid.

Nope, looks to be another RB/Max domination year; shades of 2023 and Schumi 2004. To be fair, it is only testing but I fully expect Max to be P1 at the first race.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

MAX ran (already)! 109 laps .In his fastest laps when he pushed hard he was 1 sec. faster than the rest ...

Honestly ,so far that looks very promising !
Up to his '4th World Title in a row ...

143 laps in total for MAX for today with RUS coming in at 122 and none of the others even in three figures.