The season started just over a month ago and we have witnessed the first 3 races of the 2024 championship. Debut in Bahrain, then Saudi Arabia and finally Australia, let's see what the three race weekends have left us, analyzing the teams in detail while waiting for the Japanese Grand Prix.
2024 Championship: Red Bull still strong, but Ferrari chasing
Although the red team's results give hope for the rest of 2024, one thing that is certain is still the strength of the team Red Bull. Single weakness glimpsed on Perez's tire degradation in Australia.
La Milton Keynes stables he remains at the top for now with two doubles in three races, but he is 4 points away Ferrari of standings pilots with Charles Leclerc and in the constructors' one, above all thanks to the victory of Carlos Sainz. In Australia the double achieved in Maranello with pride has narrowed the gap between the two rivals and for now in contention for the championship.
Not far away we have a surprising one McLaren which seems to be very close to Ferrari and, perhaps, with the first updates it will be able to improve and reach the top two teams. Lando Norris e Oscar piastri, fresh from a third and fourth place in Australia, once again prove to be two excellent signings for the Woking team.
Haas improves, Mercedes and RB disappoint
If with Haas slight improvements are visible which bring at least one car into the points. The first two races, in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, scored points and only the single-seater made it to Q3 Nico Hulkenberg. In the last weekend in Australia - which shuffled the cards a bit - to accompany his teammate also Kevin Magnussen.
What is disappointing instead is the RB, the satellite team of Red Bull, which promised great performances, but which have not yet arrived. However, although the first 3 championship races are almost nil in view of the long season (let's take 2022 with Ferrari and Leclerc at the top at the beginning of the year) there are those who ask for more. It is Helmut Marko himself who does this by dispensing ultimatums. If last year fate had chosen Nyck De Vries, now it's his turn Daniel Ricciardo having to demonstrate on the track so as not to be substituted. After the weekend in Australia, however, a slight improvement emerges which could lead to higher positions on the grid.
Among the top teams, there is one who does not respect the expectations and promises made to the fans Mercedes. At Brackley they are unable to find a solution to the problem, the car - of which they had promised great performance - is the fourth best in the championship. There are obvious problems with race pace, tire degradation, reliability and drag. Like the silver stars too Aston Martin who, despite the somewhat anonymous start, are fighting with the German team for fourth place in the constructors' standings.
At the back of the grid for the start of the 2024 championship: Williams, Alpine and Stake F1 Team
The start of the 2024 season for the team Alpine it didn't go as they hoped. Several times, both in qualifying and in the race, they found themselves facing the rear, but above all they had to deal with non-qualifications for Q2. A car that seems to have worsened compared to last year, managing to also worsen the qualifying result compared to the previous ones. Esteban Ocon reaches 1:29,475 in the 2024 Saudi Arabia qualification against 1:27,078 in 2023.
Of the same fate too Stake F1 Team which accompanies the French team at the back of the grid, fighting for positions that do not reach the points zone. The unfortunate woman is also in the same boat Williams, fresh from the controversy that arose last weekend due to the lack of a replacement chassis for Alex Albon. Then sitting in the car of his colleague and companion Logan Sargeant. For these three teams, still 0 points collected.
Final considerations and next appointment with the 2024 championship
Taking into account the updates that each team will bring in the future and during the championship, every consideration and result can be overturned. This is especially true in the top positions as McLaren could catch up with Ferrari just as the latter will be able to overtake Red Bull.
What, for now, emerges is a good possibility of seeing more fight and movement on the track which, hopefully, will not be just a mere illusion.
Il Next appointment with Formula 1 it will be in Japan:
- 5 April gold 4:30 FP1 e 8:00 FP2
- 6 April gold 4:30 FP3 e 8:00 Qualifications
- 7 April gold 7:00 Race
