Pintsized Predictions: 2024 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix Pre-Race

Qualifying is over for the Bahrain Grand Prix, with Dutchman Max Verstappen topping the timesheets as the curtain finally lifts on the 2024 Formula 1 season. This week’s three sessions of qualifying has exhibited the true pace of the cars, as well as revealing vital information on what we are likely to see in Saturday’s race in the Sakhir desert.

TL;DR: Bahrain GP Pintsized Podium Prediction

• P1 – Max Vestappen
• P2 – George Russell
• P3 – Charles Leclerc

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Promising signs at the front

Verstappen took pole for the 18th time in 19 races, and for the first time this season, shaving out competition by a quarter of a second. However, that really doesn’t tell the full story of a qualifying session that will have filled race fans around the world with hope.

Max’s Q3 pole time of 1:29.179 was not the fastest lap of qualifying. In fact, Charles Leclerc out-paced everyone with the fastest lap in Q2 with a 1:29.165. Verstappen looked as much as surprised as he did relieved to have taken the pole, with Leclerc well aware he was faster in the second session.

Mercedes’ George Russell found himself just .07 back from Leclerc in third, with the German outfit making it clear that they had set the car up with the race and as the priority over one lap speed. Undoubtedly, Red Bull have done the same, and the lack of tyre degradation of their new package looks ominous. The pre-qualifying fear that Reb Bull’s car would leave the rest of the field in the dust has gone, however, with the eyes of racing world primed for a historic battle on Saturday.

Miniscule midfield margins

Although the front finds itself righter than expected, the midfield is somehow, sensationally, closer. McLaren’s pre-season doubts appear to have been misplaced after both cars placed well – Lando Norris in P7 and Oscar Piastri in P8. The British team appear to have a real battle on their hands with Aston Martin, who assumed a quietly confident position following Fernando Alonso’s sixth place start.

The rest of the midfield are not far behind, with the gap from P5 to P15 less than a second. There may be slight disappointment for RB, however, after they had enjoyed a promising pre season. Their attention may be turned to HAAS, who look capable of doing more than just make up the numbers after Nico Hulkenberg soared to a P10 start.

Flailing Frenchmen

As is customary with the back of the field, we were treated to a couple of surprises. Although the sight of Sauber in P16 and P17 is to be expected, the real shock was just how poor the all-French outfit Alpine have been this season. An unruly rear end combined with poor straight line speed has led to a back row lockout for Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly. The quality of these two drivers is well known, so the fact they sit at the back suggests real problems ahead of Saturday’s race.

2024 F1 Bahrain GP Starting Grid

Updated Prediction Performance Table

Updated Teammate Battle