The time before the first race is generally one for optimism. Hopes and aspirations for the year are still alive in the lead-up to the first qualifying session of the year, when the stopwatch will cruelly show up those who haven’t put in the work during the off-season.
But some will start the year with more than just their own performance on their minds.
With only 20 drivers and 10 teams in the sport, there’s no space for anyone who isn’t performing at their maximum. Several drivers and even some teams will start the year knowing that how strongly they deliver on their potential this season could be career or history defining.
Continue reading on FOX SPORTSThere’s only one time the vibe is really relevant in Formula 1, and it’s the days between preseason testing and the first race.
Despite having three days of numbers to crunch and analyse from thousands of laps, the different climatic conditions, track states, fuel loads, engine modes, run plans and experimental parts mean that making meaningful comparisons and conclusions is always a mug’s game.
But the teams have access to far more powerful analytical tools than us mere mortals, which is where the vibe comes in.
Continue reading on FOX SPORTSRed Bull Racing is full steam ahead on its title defence in 2023.
Max Verstappen and his RB19 were calm, composed and quick about the season ahead after a day and a half of testing. There are no real reliability problems to speak about and, crucially, no obvious contender to challenge it for the mantle. At least not yet.
It’s been a mixed bag for the other potential top teams. Ferrari is keeping its cards close to its chest, while Mercedes couldn’t make progress on a heartening first day.
Continue reading on FOX SPORTSIt’s better to hit trouble during preseason testing than in the season proper, but given the reliability rate of the modern Formula 1 car, it’s better not to strike trouble at all.
With regulations largely stable year on year, most cars enjoyed long stints of uninterrupted, trouble-free running on the first day of testing. None will have had the engine fully turned up and few drivers will have been pushing particularly hard, but it’s a good sign for most.
But it puts the spotlight and ratchets up the pressure on those that do suffer problems given they immediately fall behind on crucial track time.
Continue reading on FOX SPORTSPreseason testing isn’t the stuff of dreams, but it can be the stuff of nightmares.
Three days of relentless running in the Bahrain sun, drivers tested to their limits after months out of the car, machines pushed the brink and beyond failure, is gruelling work.
If it goes well, you’ll make it to Sunday with your car and your neck muscles intact but only a rough idea of where you think you stand in the pecking order. Ambiguity is the reward.
If it goes badly, you’ll know for sure that you won’t win the championship. Only nine months and 23 races to go until the next one.
Continue reading on FOX SPORTS