The 2024 Formula One world championship is officially underway, with a record-breaking 24-race season commencing under the lights of Bahrain on a Saturday evening. Tune in on The Roar with live blog coverage from 1:50am (AEDT).
Pre-season wrapped up at this 5.4km technical circuit and now the drivers will turn their wheels in anger across 57 laps for the grand prix itself.
Pirelli, like 2023, have brought the C1 to C3 compounds of tyre too – the hardest in their range – for what should be a two-stop race.
Three practice sessions so far have done little to show a definitive leader, as neither hour ended up being topped by a Red Bull or reigning three-time world champion Max Verstappen.
Daniel Ricciardo in the Red Bull sister team led first practice ahead of McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri – who stand poles apart from this time last year. While Lewis Hamilton, also in a dramatically improved Mercedes led FP2, before Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari topped the final session.
Such mixed results between multiple teams will potentially make the grand prix a tantalising affair.
While in qualifying, it was very much a feeling of normal service has resumed at the end of Q3 as Verstappen claimed a 34th career pole position – 0.228 seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc, who was initially the favourite.
0.363 seconds covered the top six with George Russell and Fernando Alonso joining the respective Red Bull and Ferrari teammates of Verstappen and Leclerc at the head of the field. Norris will lead Piastri off the fourth row of the grid, while Lewis Hamilton finds himself ninth with a 0.531-second margin to pole.
Ricciardo will have to try his chances at points from outside the top-ten, though was outqualified by his RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda; while for Alpine, it was a dire session, with both Renault works cars the slowest overall.
Verstappen and Leclerc barrelling into Turn 1 seems a mouth-watering notion for the first race, though with the long-run pace that Red Bull demonstrated in testing and the inherent race-pace deficit Ferrari has – it is difficult not to look past the Dutchman.
Given that it is the first race of the new season, though, the idea that anything can happen brings plenty of optimism for a fascinating 57 laps ahead.
Lights out: 2am (AEDT)
Venue: Sakhir International Circuit, Bahrain
TV: Fox Sports
Online: Kayo Sports
2023 winner: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
Grid
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull), 2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 3. George Russell (Mercedes), 4. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), 5. Sergio Perez (Red Bull), 6. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), 7. Lando Norris (McLaren), 8. Oscar Piastri (McLaren), 9. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), 10. Nico Hülkenberg (Haas), 11. Yuki Tsunoda (RB), 12. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), 13. Alexander Albon (Williams), 14. Daniel Ricciardo (RB), 15. Kevin Magnussen (Haas), 16. Valtteri Bottas (Sauber), 17. Zhou Guanyu (Sauber), 18. Logan Sargeant (Williams), 19. Esteban Ocon (Alpine), 20. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
If there's contact, at the very least, Tsunoda's damaged both team vehicles. Even worse, one or both of the drivers could have been injured. Unforgivable.
Blink
Roar Rookie
Its not so bad. He wanted to pass in the race and wasn't allowed to. So he needed to release a bit of frustration.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Just watched it and the post race interview. Daniel is a real diplomat. Wonder what he really thinks.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
And the three race winners of 2023 finish in the top 3.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Hey Jawad. Well judging by the results, normal transmission has resumed. Good to see Oscar among the points.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
There's footage on YouTube of Tsunoda taking position back from Ricciardo in a daring late braking maneuver. Unfortunately it was a petulant post-race act. It really should cost him his seat.
mrl
Roar Rookie
Mad Max the one to beat again.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Well that then wraps up this live blog of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Not the humdinger of a race as would've been anticipated, but brings plenty to look forward to ahead in the year. The next race will be on the streets of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia next weekend, which again will be a Saturday grand prix. Though it'll be a Sunday affair for Australian viewers, with it starting at 4am AEDT. Until then, thank you very much for tuning in for this blog of the Bahrain GP. It is bye from me for now.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Thoughts on that one then Roarers?
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
------DRIVER'S------ 26 -- Max Verstappen 18 -- Sergio Perez 15 -- Carlos Sainz 12 -- Charles Leclerc 10 -- George Russell 8 --- Lando Norris 6 --- Lewis Hamilton 4 --- Oscar Piastri 2 --- Fernando Alonso 1 --- Lance Stroll 0 --- Zhou Guanyu 0 --- Kevin Magnussen 0 --- Daniel Ricciardo 0 --- Yuki Tsunoda 0 --- Alexander Albon 0 --- Nico Hülkenberg 0 --- Esteban Ocon 0 --- Pierre Gasly 0 --- Valtteri Bottas 0 --- Logan Sargeant
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
-----CONSTRUCTOR'S----- 44 -- Red Bull Racing 27 -- Ferrari 16 -- Mercedes AMG 12 -- McLaren Mercedes 3 --- Aston Martin 0 --- Kick Sauber 0 --- Haas Ferrari 0 --- HB Honda 0 --- Williams Mercedes 0 --- Alpine
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
RACE REPORT Max Verstappen has picked up where he left off at the end of his all-conquering 2023 season, winning the season opening Bahrain Grand Prix at a canter – 22.4-seconds clear of Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez in second. Though it was an intriguing race to the end behind the three-time world champion, with Carlos Sainz already on a mission – without a drive for 2025 looking to secure his future. Despite a poor start for the Spaniard, he was the quicker Ferrari and threatened Perez at the end. Verstappen was challenged by Charles Leclerc into the first corner, with Perez behind losing out behind the Ferrari and George Russell maintaining third. There was a first lap incident between Lance Stroll and Nico Hülkenberg, as the Haas sent the Aston Martin into a spin at the first corner. Valtteri Bottas too, touching the rear of the Haas to sustain front-wing damage. Fernando Alonso within five-laps was passed by both McLarens, after starting sixth ahead of them. Though the race pace of the Aston Martin on the soft compound weak in comparison. McLaren looking decent on the softs, though the squabbling Ferrari duo and Russell maintained track position heading into the first round of pit-stops. Leclerc struggled throughout with understeer issues and a locking of the wheels. It was on Lap 17 that Sainz made a lunge into Turn 1 from way back to assert himself as the lead Ferrari. Williams’ Logan Sargeant brought out the yellow flags in Sector 1, with a self-induced off at Turn 4 on Lap 10. And apart from that, there were no other stoppages through the 57-laps. Lap 32 saw Russell as the first of the leaders to take their second stop, with Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton following suit on Lap 34. Norris looking for an undercut on Leclerc, though that didn’t eventuate. Hamilton however, despite a challenging first two-thirds of the race – ended up ahead of Piastri. Red Bull had saved an extra set of the soft compound from qualifying and had to utilise them in the final stint, while their rivals were all on another set of hards. Though Sainz was unable to get within DRS range of Perez at the end. Leclerc comfortably led Russell, who was the top Mercedes ahead of Norris. Hamilton too beat the other McLaren of Piastri to lock out the top eighth positions. Unlucky to miss out on points was Guanyu Zhou, who after undercutting in the first round of stops was into the top-ten. Though the Aston Martin of Alonso on fresher hards at the end relegated the Sauber outside the points. The RB drivers at the death were getting feisty, as Yuki Tsunoda exploded on the radio over his team doing a driver switch with Daniel Ricciardo and losing the chance to pass Kevin Magnussen for twelfth.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
POST-RACE INTERVIEWS - Hosted by David Coulthard VERSTAPPEN - "I think today went even better than expected." "On every compound we had the pace." "Great start to the year, it was a lot of fun and I felt really good in the car." "You are just one with the car." PEREZ - "It was the maximum we could have achieved." "But overall a great way to start the season." "The amount of sliding we were having and issues with engine braking." "Good team momentum." SAINZ - "I felt really good out there today." "Overtook two or three cars on the way to the podium." "Good step forward compared to last year." "Our car is more comfortable with the hard compound."
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
RESULTS FROM THE 57-LAP BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX 1 M. Verstappen (Fastest Lap) 2 S. Perez 3 C. Sainz 4 C. Leclerc 5 G. Russell 6 L. Norris 7 L. Hamilton 8 O. Piastri 9 F. Alonso 10 L. Stroll 11 G. Zhou 12 K. Magnussen 13 D. Ricciardo 14 Y. Tsunoda 15 A. Albon 16 N. Hülkenberg 17 E. Ocon 18 P. Gasly 19 V. Bottas 20 L. Sargeant
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS THE BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX! It's a mighty 22.4-second win for the reigning world champion and Red Bull open their 2024 account with a one-two finish, as Sergio Perez takes second. And what a drive from Carlos Sainz to take the chocolates for Ferrari ahead of Charles Leclerc in third.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 57/57: FINAL LAP Magnussen, Ricciardo and Tsunoda are covered by a second on this final lap. No points on offer, but there'll be a bit of pride in the opening race to garner.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 56/57: The drop-off Ferrari had hoped from Perez's soft tyres doesn't seem to have eventuated too. The Red Bull looks safe. Ricciardo back within DRS range of Magnussen, especially after Tsunoda having a tirade about the driver swap.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 55/57: Norris looking ever-closer to Russell, though the gap is still floating around 1.8 to 2-seconds. Hamilton's gap to Norris ahead is under 3-seconds now.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 54/57: Tsunoda expressing his gratitude to the team for that driver swap - very genuine. And as a result they've lost the rear of Magnussen's Haas that was ahead.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 53/57: 5 LAPS TO GO Gap between Norris and Russell is under two-seconds now, though Hamilton is the one who is lapping quicker than the McLaren. The RB driver swap has occured thenn, with Ricciardo now ahead of Tsunoda.