1061 replies to this topic

[Risil]

Wow! In a matter of hours the 2024 Grand Prix season will have actually started and a dozen of the best drivers in the world plus extras will be pounding around Bahrain in a futile attempt to outrun impossible expectations and Max Verstappen.

 

The Red Bull primus inter pares looks like he's continuing where 2023 ended, which is to say modestly outpacing the field in qualifying but somehow still pre-demoralizing the competition by threatening consistent and error-free laptimes that nobody else can live with. On the front row with him is Charles Leclerc, who some believe has a bit more pace in him than he showed on Friday. The other near challengers are Mercedes, with Russell qualifying third and an optimistic Lewis Hamilton starting 9th but saying there's more to come from the Mercedes in race trim.

 

The Ferrari and Red Bull B drivers, Fernando Alonso, the interchangeable McLaren duo of Norris and Piastri, and Nico Hulkenberg round out the top ten. Further back, Albon's Williams and the Visa Cash Apps of Tsunoda and Ricciardo have Attack From The Back energy, and the two Alpines are somehow but deservedly stone last. I don't know who is still at Alpine so can't say with any confidence exactly who besides Ocon and Gasly will be disappointed by this turn of fate's wheel.

 

Feel free to post any race-related materials you can find in the thread. Racing gets underway at 3pm GMT today, that is to say Saturday, i.e. not Sunday, and just to be clear that means the race is going to take place this afternoon. Enjoy the day-into-night fun everyone.

[IrvTheSwerve]

Congrats on the win, Max.

 

*hoping to jinx

[IrvTheSwerve]

The real new F1 intro just dropped:

 

[IceSpeed]

The real new F1 intro just dropped:

https://www.youtube....h?v=oMxKkDDL4N8

ROFL - Connor

[Huracan]

So Ferrari now looks the fastest over 1 lap, it will be interesting to see if they closed the gap race pace wise to RB.

[FLB]

The real new F1 intro just dropped:

 

Verstappen at the end     

[sportyskells]

A bit slow with the iintro as f1 posted it Thursday before 1st practice 

[Hellenic tifosi]

RedBull is so confident on their tyre wear that will probably go SHS.

[OvDrone]

Morning.

[sportyskells]

In my case afternoon 

[SophieB]

[Hellenic tifosi]

I hadn't noticed that Tsunoda outqualified Ricciardo.

[SophieB]

That's my guy Checo right there

 

[1player]

That's my guy Checo right there

Someone ate too many beans the night before...

[AlexS]

[sportyskells]

I wonder if we see the Mercedes’ safety car today? (We know it came out twice in f2)

[sheSgoTthElooK]

Günther Steiner as commentator 

 

Charles & Lewis chatty chatty

[Ruudbackus]

Time to get out of my winter sleep! Anticipating the first start of the season as ever although I do expect Max to drive off in the distance

[ANF]

Remember, under the new rules the pit lane will remain open another 10 minutes.

[ANF]

That's my guy Checo right there

That's the weirdest photo arrangement I've ever seen.

[ConsiderAndGo]

Safety car, best looking car on the grid.

[ConsiderAndGo]

Diplo stopping anyone from going through a ‘chilled’ build up

[TomNokoe]

Very strange vibe for a first race

[ConsiderAndGo]

Very strange vibe for a first race

Seems extremely flat to me

[Okyo]

Very strange vibe for a first race

Not Melbourne that's for sure. Absolutely off. 

[ConsiderAndGo]

Yes Patrice

[JimmyClark]

Yeah it's no Melbourne is it? It feels more like an end of season "chore" race.

Anyway, good news is that anybody in the top 9 probably could be on the podium. Hopefully it will be a good one.

[Thursday]

Melbourne feels much more like a celebration

[Tonybrise]

Was that Freddie Hunt walking past Martin on the grid walk? Uncanny likeness to his dad.

[SophieB]

Did we ever leave Abu Dhabi

[Ruusperi]

Wait, why's the race on Saturday?.....   ......just kidding.

Very strange vibe for a first race

Next year it will feel like the old times.  

[JimmyClark]

Ha Clarkson is agreeing with us how flat it is.

[ConsiderAndGo]

Is Clarkson pissed?

[InSearchOfThe]

Call me crazy, but I've got LeClerc winning this race and the WDC....

[JeePee]

Very strange vibe for a first race

Feels like race #15 of the season.

[EndlessMotion]

Is Clarkson pissed?

An drunk man

[Thursday]

Is Clarkson pissed?

I don't know about that but He's wrong about nothing has changed. The whole field has closed up even if the order is broadly similar.

[F1 Mike]

Is Clarkson pissed?

Says it like it is! Always been a fan of his

[Marklar]

Feels like race #15 of the season.

Horner Gate felt like 14 races

[Laster]

The photographer could have at least given Tsunoda a box to stand on instead If he was gonna hide him behind Sainz.

[ConsiderAndGo]

Russell with the full 1998 Beckham look

[IrvTheSwerve]

Jezza’s jaw in a different postcode…

[ANF]

So, has Mrs Horner joined her husband on the grid?

[ANF]

For a moment there I thought they were going to play the Twentieth Century Fox fanfare.

[JeePee]

There's the net zero carbon footprint Jumbo Jet again.

[ARTGP]

I wonder if we see the Mercedes’ safety car today? (We know it came out twice in f2)

 

Isn't it an Aston Martin?

[Tonybrise]

Ha Clarkson is agreeing with us how flat it is.

I read that as ‘Clarkson agreeing how fat he is’

[Boxerevo]

BALLS or not balls, on T1 start ?

 

We will see.

Edited by Boxerevo, 02 March 2024 - 14:49.

[TomNokoe]

Hamilton likely vulnerable on lap 1 as everyone behind will be on brand new tyres.

[Risil]

"Use the wind to your advantage"