After just over three months, we can officially say: Formula 1 starts again! In fact, everything is ready for the first race of the 2024 season. There are many question marks, as well as curiosities, to be able to understand and discover whether the indications received from the test will be confirmed. The first changes, which will only be valid for the first two races of the season, already concern the structure of the weekend: in fact, it will take place on Saturday. Qualifying will therefore take place on Friday and free practice on Thursday. The first appointment to kick off the 2024 F1 season will be the Bahrain GP: let's find out the times together so as not to miss anything.
F1, 2024 begins with the Bahrain GP!
We will undoubtedly start again from Max Verstappen. The Dutchman will be the man to beat, as demonstrated during testing, with his new RB20. The world champion obviously hopes to repeat what he saw last season, in which he won 19 out of 22 races, even if he already knows that it won't be easy at all. Everything, obviously, will depend on how close the opponents are to Newey's new jewel which, as soon as it was presented on February 15th, left many speechless. Great attention, however, will also be on his teammate Perez. For the Mexican it must be the start of a new year the moment of restart, after a 2023 full of many difficulties, especially in the second part of the season.
And Ferrari…
The biggest focus, of course, won't be on Red Bull, but on its contenders. Let us say that great curiosity is linked to Ferrari. The new SF-24 seems to have given new life to both Charles Leclerc than to Carlos Sainz (who is preparing to live his last season in Ferrari). Both specified the great growth of the car especially from the point of view of handling. To understand, now, as also told by Vasseur, will also be the performance aspect: will they be the anti Red Bull? All that remains is to find out, with the first indications arriving already this weekend with the Bahrain GP.
Mercedes and McLaren observe
In addition to Ferrari, however, two other top teams will also try to ruin Verstappen's party. Let's talk about Mercedes e McLaren. The Brackley team is preparing to live its last season with Hamilton (who will go to Ferrari in 2025), and the team's will is to entrust him and Russell a car that can pave the way for the definitive restart, especially if we consider the last two quite disappointing years. All eyes are also on McLaren who, with the renewal of Norris, aim for an MCL38 that can also aim for some victories.
We also take to the track at Fanta F1
The desire to get on the track is great, as is that of play Fanta F1! In fact, with the start of the season in Bahrain, it is also time to take a look at the drivers' prices (click here) to understand who to bet on for the first team of the year to be fielded from a Fanta perspective. Obviously, before making your choices, you will be able to take a look at the free practice sessions, with the lineup that must be lined up by the start of qualifying (scheduled for Friday at 17.00 pm). It will be possible to follow and not miss anything live and exclusively on Sky Sport and streaming on NOW.
F1, Bahrain GP 2024: times
Thursday February 29
12.30 Free Practice 1
16.00 Free Practice 2
Friday 1st March
13.30 Free Practice 3
17.00 pm Qualifications
Saturday March 2
16.00 Race
