The route of the Formula 1, over 74 years, delivered multiple legendary episodes. Facts of overflowing joy and also of deep frustration. Sublime and extreme acts and maneuvers, and other reckless, unfortunate, risky driving. In it Great Circus Glory and drama have always coexisted. Along the way, names of drivers who will remain in bronze and those forgotten are mixed, car models that will transcend the decades and those that disappointed on the track, manufacturers and designers who enthusiastically dared to dream and interpret the rules with acuity and with His projects made the sport great.
The new chapter of the adventure, which will begin with the training sessions, starting at 8:30 on Thursday, will have a detail: Like that first grand prix, at Silverstone, on May 13, 1950, the race at the Sakhir circuit, in Bahrain, will take place on a Saturday. A week later, when the caravan visits Saudi Arabia, the experience will be replicated: the beginning of Ramadan, the holy month of Muslims, which runs from March 10 to April 8, is the reason for the F. 1 disrupt the agenda, since the regulations indicate that there must be a space of seven days between two races.
The expectation for discover the virtues of the RB20, the model with which Max Verstappen will try to extend dominance and add his fourth crown, and the 24 functions that will serve as Lewis Hamilton’s farewell to Mercedes become the two biggest attractions of the year. Two drivers who stand out on the tracks, where they overflow with competitiveness. The Briton’s seven titles, a mark he shares with Michael Schumacher, and the Dutchman’s overwhelming present give shape to a timeline in F.1: a sign of the generational transfer.
MadMax He broke the hegemony in the controversial definition in Abu Dhabi, in 2021, and since then began a forceful reign. The statistics certify it: in 2023 he added 19 wins, the maximum number achieved by a driver in a season; established the historic streak of 10 consecutive victories; He won five grand prizes before the end of the season; He climbed to the podium in 21 of the 22 events; he broke the effectiveness in winning percentage of Alberto Ascari, from 1952; He broke the record for laps at the head of the race with 1003 laps…
Rewriting the book seems complex, due to the numbers and the internal turbulence that the team experienced with a complaint about Christian Horner, for inappropriate behavior. The organization finally acquitted the British man, who has served as team leader since 2005, the year the team debuted. “The independent investigation into the allegations raised was concluded and Red Bull confirms that the complaint was dismissed”says a statement, which leaves open the possibility of the complainant’s appeal.
Hamilton, 39 years old, is the second oldest driver on the grid, behind Fernando Alonso, who surpasses him with 42. In his last campaign with Mercedes, with which he was linked since his debut in F.1, because In 2007 McLaren used the engines supplied by the Brackley-based factory, the Briton will aim to put together a full start, as his campaign turned out.
Incredibly, the driver with the record of victories (103), the most pole position (104) and podiums (197), he has not won since the 2021 Saudi Arabia GP: 45 races without wins for whom since its presentation and uninterruptedly for 15 seasons it had at least a first place on the calendar. The announcement of his link with Ferrari, starting in 2025, was the episode that shook the Great Circus during the recent breakalthough it did not dismantle Mercedes. This is Wolffhe boss of the Silver Arrows, sacrificed the star for who he considers the new jewel: Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the 17-year-old Italian who will race in Formula 2 with the Prema team. Wolff does not want to repeat the episode of not having a seat for Verstappen, because Hamilton and Nico Rosberg were tied to long-term contracts.
Hamilton’s landing in the Scuderia, next year, generates excitement in Maranello. The scattered victories are a small make-up for the only factory that has given the present in all the events since 1950: 1074 races, 243 triumphs, 16 Constructors’ titles… figures that exhibit the greatness of Ferrari. Recovering the shine will be an unavoidable mission for the Briton, who will share the garage with Charles Leclerc.
But before, The Monegasque will have to manage to show that John Elkann – president of the Scuderia– and Frédéric Vasseur – F.1 team boss – were not wrong in choosing him and releasing Carlos Sainz Jr., last winning driver with the brand, in the 2023 Singapore GP. “The car seems competitive, the drivers are in top shape and the team is very focused. From the practices we will have an idea of the pecking order and we will see the results of the SF-24. We should not be afraid to dare if we believe that a bold decision can make a difference”Encouraged Vasseur, who observes the present and projects the future with Hamilton in an armchair.
Behind the three greatest exponents, in a group that wants to be on the podium in the Constructors’ World Championship, appear McLaren, Aston Martin y Alpine. The Woking team had a very high-level second half of 2023, but would not start the current season with good feelings. “Bahrain was never a good circuit for us, so it will be difficult to quickly judge where we stand,” anticipated Lando Norris. (McLaren), who finished sixth, between the two swords of Ferrari, last year’s Drivers’ World Championship.
The reverse curve retraced Aston Martin in 2023, which went from being the first enemy that RBR discovered to plummeting to fall to fifth place among the teams. Alonso’s star is the guide: “We learned many lessons and we have to be consistent in the development of the car during the season. Last year we were not,” said the Asturian. For Alpine, the tests were a nightmare and for the debut it was decided to modify the cooling gills of the A524, which went from six to 20 during the course. The difficulties are multiplied by overweight, poor behavior in curves and low speed on the straight due to a poor engine.
Of the four teams that will complete the grid, Williams wants to strengthen the project led by James Vowles, former Mercedes. “We hope to take advantage of our progress in 2023,” pilot Alex Albon is excited. The Grove team finished last year in seventh place among manufacturers, with 28 units, twenty points more than in 2022 when it finished last. Last year the lowest step was occupied by Haas, who fired Guenther Steiner, who was the main team since 2016, when the American structure joined F.1; The command will be for the Japanese Ayao Komatsu.
The news in the two remaining teams lies in the name changes: Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team took over Alpha Tauri spacewhich had replaced Toro Rosso in 2019. It will continue as a subsidiary of Red Bull Racing and the headquarters will remain in Faenza, despite rumors of a move to Great Britain. Another one leaving the grid is Alfa Romeo: the transition to become Audi, in 2026, will be called Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber.
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