Let The Racing Begin!

Testing is over

Considering the Formula One world and the fast pace it moves at, this post is late. I do apologise, life seems to have gotten in the way of my hobbies. But no worries I am back, and where do I start. It is important to remember that things in testing often need to be taken with a pinch of salt. Having said this there is still plenty to discuss...

A Clear Favourite 

Well, I am sure it comes as no surprise that the RB19 appeared to have the best testing they could have hoped for. Looking more ominous than last year, Red Bull seems to have improved their car in many ways from the pace, weight and even seeming to have an edge regarding tyre management. 

Compared to their main rivals, the Red Bull did not look to have a massive advantage over the Ferrari but it appears to be enough to make them the favourites for the Championship this year, just as most expected. 

I am sad to say we may be entering the Red Bull and Max Verstappen domination that we have all been fearing. Now, if you are a Verstappen fan this is music to your ears. I am sure everyone hopes that similar to 2021, a fierce showdown to the bitter end would make for a nail-biting season. However, despite these wishes it is right to assume that this may have been a once in a decade competition. We can only hope that this season is not a whitewash and the Championship is not decided with considerable rounds to go (and perhaps for once a non-controversial Max Championship...)

Escaping the Midfield? 

Little has been heard from this team regarding their test, but many are of the opinion that Aston Martin might be the surprise of testing. Some are even under the impression that they be rivalling that of Mercedes if they play their cards right. 

In the hands of their latest recruit, the two time World Champion Fernando Alonso, the green bullet looked every bit as fast as the Mercedes over one lap. Could Lawrence Stroll's five year plan finally be showing some progress?

Speaking of the Stroll's, after Drugovich stepped in for Lance during testing it has been announced today that he will in fact be racing in Bahrain. This is despite the rumours that have been swirling all week that he would be out for this race, perhaps even a few. I am sure the paddock will be happy to see him back and recovered. 

Not quite a Red Bull beater?

Most important to start with, at least this car does not have a porpoising problem anymore. That is one thing that Mercedes seems to have got a grasp on, now they just need to work on getting back to number one. 

Throughout testing, it can be argued that Mercedes have begun to create a bigger picture of their car and maybe be able to make their radical 'no sidepods' work for them. With testing off to a good start and them collecting laps, Mercedes seem to have retained their third best position, perhaps edging closer to Ferrari. However, they still seem a world away from Red Bull with a lot of work to if they want to truly compete with them. There's also the little matter of George's day two retirement following a hydraulics failure (being one of the only retirements of the tests this must be hanging over their heads...)

Orange is the New Slow?

Mclaren...things were not looking so happy in their garage. With a few people such as Zak Brown coming forward and announcing that they are not reaching their targets, it looks like things with 'The Carrot'  maybe going backwards. Not ideal when they have Lando Norris who is well regarded up and down the paddock and they have just persuaded exciting prospect Oscar Piastri to stray from Alpine. Will they stick around if the car tumbles down the grid as opposed to moving up it? 

Especially with rumours already roaming the paddock about Norris needing to leave the team (is this the only way to save his career perhaps?). 

Best of the rest...?

As for the other teams, it could be argued that they appeared anonymous compared to the others. For example, Haas seemed happy to just rack up their laps and keep a low profile (if that's even possible when Gunther Steiner is involved). Hulkenberg bedded back in to F1 after 3 years away, almost appearing to have never left. With Haas firing out of the blocks quick as usual, will this be the year he breaks his record of having no podiums or will the team fall behind again without upgrades (perhaps not the case if their new title sponsors money is put to good use along with the money saved from their bitesize pit-wall). 

Alpine appeared much of the same, quite anonymous and carefully categorising their data. Gasly seems to have broken away from Alpha Tauri successfully but will this reign true when the seasons begins and he inevitably locks horns with Ocon (Esteban is known for fighting with his team mates in the past is he not?) 

Well, if every team were to be discussed in detail I could be here for hours...now it is time to focus on the real excitement of the season actually starting. This week we are in Bahrain and it is sure to be an entertaining one. Will Max win and have the fear of winning the first race curse hanging over his head? (as you may know for years the person who has won the first race has come second in the Championship). Who will come out on top in the midfield? Will Mclaren be as bad as people are expecting? How will the rookies perform? These are all questions that can be answered next time...

Signing off, 

The Racing Rose