2024 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sakhir, Feb 29 - Mar 02

[CaribouBread]

I think we also have to keep in mind that in these budget constrained regulations big teams seem to be operating on a two year cycle for development. First is innovation, second being refinement. There might be higher improvement than expected this year because of where we are in this cycle.

[AR3-GP]

Yes I feel that the "diminishing returns" stuff is nonsense. It's too early for that.

[AR3-GP]

I wouldn't be surprised if the top teams fail to go below 1.29.xx. The 2020 Merc car has a quali lap time of 1.27.2. Add 50kgs to that and 1.28.7 is the ceiling I would like to believe, unless of course the teams have magically found laptime exceeding 2020 cars in certain parts of the track. Also the development feels like it is more pronounced in race trim than quali trim for these regulations but that comparison is much more harder to make.

I don't know the tire differences, but for what it's worth:



Sainz's lap wasn't even a real qualy sim so probably even more than 50kg difference as Hamilton would have been on fumes while Sainz has 25 or more kg fuel onboard. Something to take note of. These cars produce some serious downforce at speed.

[Matt2725]

I do wonder what sort of time Merc could have done at Bahrain had engine mode changes still been a thing at that point.

[mendis]

My opinion on the following stints, is that both Max and Alonso ran 3 stints, each with full race fuel load. Trying to find the optimum and consistent lap times. The average speed trap data for all 3 stints was similar, for both drivers. Max (288kph, 291kph, 293kph) and Alonso (295kph, 296kph, 295kph).

Weirdly, C3 is a slower tyre than C1 on long runs, for most cars that the data shows. Here it's more clear. I was super confused looking at the times.

[organic]

It wasn't quite a full tank. Impressive from Alonso though

[mendis]

It wasn't quite a full tank. Impressive from Alonso though

I am curious. Why do you think it wasn't full tank?

[organic]

It wasn't quite a full tank. Impressive from Alonso though

I am curious. Why do you think it wasn't full tank?

It's obvious from the telemetry through the high speed compared to others' c3 stints that ran full race sims that alo/max were lighter. Not to mention laptimes are too fast given the sandbagging engine modes

[CHT]

What surprises can we expect from Bahrain in this weekend's qualifying?

Perhaps a pole for Ferrari?

[denyall]

I'd take anyone winning other than RB.

I'd also take McLaren right back in the mix after a weak testing performance.

Lewis pole!

[ali623]

There could be lots of surprises from qualifying, the field behind Verstappen seems to be even tighter than last year. I’m saying Ricciardo qualifies in the top 5

[haza]

I'd take anyone winning other than RB.

I'd also take McLaren right back in the mix after a weak testing performance.

Lewis pole!

Wouldn’t say McLaren had a weak testing by any means more a case they just quietly went about there business getting through there programs there one of the unknowns atm

[Wouter]

Some drivers stayed in Bahrain and played every day padel. Among them are Max, Lando, Fernando and Daniel.

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[CaribouBread]

Some drivers stayed in Bahrain and played every day padel. Among them are Max, Lando, Fernando and Daniel.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GHRjPvQXwAA ... me=360x360

Fernando looks a decade younger in these pictures compared to 2017

[organic]

Cemented the drain covers as no rain is forecast (I'm sure this can't possibly go wrong)