F1’s new season begins on March 2 with the Bahrain Grand Prix after three days of testing the week prior on the identical venue.

Preseason generally provides a sign of the aggressive order, however the true image solely begins to correctly emerge over that first weekend, so predictions are tough to make at this stage. Regardless of the state of play by the point the beginning lights exit, there are a handful of subjects we will probably be returning to all year long.

This is a have a look at a number of the greatest.

Can anybody problem Verstappen and Crimson Bull?

That is the important thing query not only for Crimson Bull’s rivals however for F1 followers throughout the globe. Max Verstappen’s dominance broke data in 2023 however the main disadvantage was it produced essentially the most lopsided and predictable F1 season in a very long time. That marked an enormous turnaround for F1 on condition that it was solely two years faraway from Verstappen’s titanic and controversial battle with Lewis Hamilton in 2021 ,arguably the very best championship the game has produced for a technology. Whereas F1 is nice at producing basic championships after a number of down years, at first look it’s arduous to see that taking place in 2024.

Whereas Crimson Bull’s RB19 immediately earned itself a spot in F1’s all-time nice automobiles, Verstappen was persistently particular in 2023. His 19 wins – 10 of which got here consecutively between Could’s Miami Grand Prix and September’s Italian Grand Prix – have been unprecedented. Solely Carlos Sainz’s Singapore win denied Crimson Bull an ideal season. For a lot of the yr Verstappen was driving on one other stage and even when Crimson Bull’s new automotive is much less dominant, the Dutchman is as tough to beat because it will get in racing, an ideal mixture of supreme expertise and unshakable confidence in a automotive he is aware of can win races and titles.

The mind-blowing stats that underline Verstappen’s ’23 dominance

The chasing pack hope to at the very least be nearer this yr. McLaren loved an enormous turnaround after introducing a giant improve halfway by the yr, whereas Mercedes and Ferrari confirmed occasional glimpses of huge steps ahead. However after all, Crimson Bull will not be a stationary goal, and ominously began work on the 2024 automotive as early as July final yr, such was the extent of its superiority.

Can Mercedes or Ferrari get it proper?

Since new rules have been launched in 2022, Ferrari and Mercedes have managed a handful of race victories between them in what’s in any other case a sea of Crimson Bull journeys to the highest step of the rostrum. And but, it was McLaren, not Ferrari or McLaren who emerged in 2023 because the bundle closest to Crimson Bull for the longest spell. Each groups have been irritating to look at for various causes.

For Ferrari, with all of the hope and weight of expectation that comes with being F1’s best-known crew, it infamously capitulated after a powerful begin in 2022. Whereas Sainz’s win was a excessive level, Ferrari discovered itself a great distance away from the place it must be. The obtrusive weaknesses of 2022, notably technique and automotive growth, confirmed glimpses of enchancment below Fred Vasseur’s new management and he’ll look to proceed that trajectory in his second season in cost.

For Mercedes, then again, the final two years have been a painful fall to actuality after years dominating the game. The crew is stinging from a winless 2023, which was additionally the second yr and not using a victory for celebrity driver Lewis Hamilton. From the opening race in Bahrain, the crew admitted it had made a mistake by sticking with its 2022 automotive idea. A change in tack on the Monaco Grand Prix included revised entrance suspension, a brand new flooring and revised sidepods and was adopted later within the season by an upheaval within the technical crew, which introduced James Allison again right into a extra hands-on place and ultimately noticed Mike Elliott, who led the choice to evolve the flawed 2022 idea on the 2023 automotive, depart the crew.

Hamilton stays integral to all issues Mercedes going ahead. Like teammate George Russell, he has dedicated to 2024 and 2025, and made it clear what his expectations are in September, saying Mercedes wanted the very best six months of automotive growth ever to catch Crimson Bull. We can’t know if the crew has achieved that till the beginning of the racing season. Hamilton, one of many high performers of final season even and not using a win, is extra fired up than ever to get again to the entrance. Both approach, his temper across the crew’s prospects will probably be a significant speaking level.

Perez’s Crimson Bull seat

There’s two components to this – will Sergio Perez see out 2024 at Crimson Bull? And, even when he does, who will probably be driving in that seat in 2025?

The Mexican driver’s contract runs till the top of this yr. At factors final yr it felt like Perez was flirting with an early exit from Crimson Bull, given how dramatically his kind fell away after profitable two of the opening 4 races. Crimson Bull has repeatedly insisted Perez will see out his contract, however the crew is infamous for ruthless driver selections. Perez was lucky Crimson Bull may have received the constructors’ title with simply Verstappen’s factors, but when any rivals present a stronger problem this season there will probably be larger strain over the performances of the person within the No.11 automotive.

Crimson Bull has put itself in a powerful place with Daniel Ricciardo ready within the wings at AlphaTauri ought to it need to transfer on from Perez and seemingly a ready-made alternative for the Australian on the junior crew within the type of Liam Lawson. You’ll be able to anticipate the names Perez, Ricciardo and Lawson to function closely in headlines of speculative articles because the yr unfolds.

After which there’s the query about Perez’s seat past this yr. Though the observe report of whoever has been Verstappen’s teammate since Ricciardo’s departure has been abysmal, the prospect of driving at what needs to be a title contending automotive in 2025 can be too good to show down for lots of drivers. Crimson Bull has been linked with McLaren’s Lando Norris on quite a few events, however the Englishman is tied down till the top of 2025. Ricciardo can be a logical candidate on condition that he has made clear he desires to return to the Crimson Bull crew he left in 2018. From the skin this transfer makes essentially the most sense and Ricciardo’s first full season with AlphaTauri will doubtless be closely scrutinised internally with that in thoughts. Bizarrely, Ricciardo’s teammate Yuki Tsunoda seems to have nearly no likelihood of stepping as much as the Crimson Bull crew, though one other robust season from the Japanese driver would possibly nicely power Christian Horner and Helmut Marko to alter their stance on him.

Crimson Bull will not be with out different choices. Verstappen’s former teammate Alex Albon, who has revived his profession at Williams since being ousted from Crimson Bull on the finish of 2020, is more likely to function closely in any driver market hypothesis this yr.

What is going to occur with Andretti’s F1 bid?

You may need puzzled what occurred to Andretti’s bid to hitch the grid because it was accepted by the governing FIA in October final yr. “Not a lot” is the best reply, however will probably be a giant a part of the information cycle. By accepting Andretti’s bid with Cadillac in October, FIA has successfully put F1 below strain to barter a business cope with the American racing crew. F1 stays reluctant to develop the grid from 10 to 11. Andretti has mentioned it may be prepared to hitch as early as 2025.

F1 administration (FOM) are influenced, though not led, by the opposition of the ten groups. F1 boss Stefano Domenicali has repeatedly mentioned the game doesn’t want new entrants. The prevailing groups have outlined their objections to the thought of the present prize fund being cut up amongst 11 quite than 10 groups and really feel they’re now reaping the advantages of treading water by the 2010s, when F1 was a far riskier funding than it’s now whjen recognition is booming like by no means earlier than. Though Andretti would pay an anti-dilution payment to enter, some really feel it will be unfair for companions to hitch a brand new crew quite than their very own. Forward of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, James Vowles quite provocatively advised Cadillac can be welcomed with open arms as a accomplice of his Williams crew, which provides a good suggestion of the place the heads of the present groups are presently.

There will probably be a lot extra backwards and forwards on this concern. It’s notable that Michael Andretti has been a lot quieter in public just lately than he was at first of 2023, when he clumsily referred to as F1’s groups “grasping” for displaying any opposition to the prospect of his crew becoming a member of the grid, however it appears like each side have loads of vollies left to fireside throughout the bow of the opposite earlier than this will get resolved.

Will the F1-FIA relationship enhance or deteriorate?

It is no secret that Components One’s relationship with the governing FIA, which units after which officiates the foundations of the championship, has been strained in recent times. A serious flashpoint was Abu Dhabi 2021, when FIA race director Michael Masi’s mistake tarnished the top of that yr’s championship. Regardless of main modifications — together with Masi’s elimination — within the aftermath the governing physique has struggled to get its fingers round in-race determination making within the years since.

Off observe tensions have been simmering, too. The best way the FIA dealt with the bid for an eleventh crew, for instance, after which ultimately put Andretti ahead annoyed F1 behind the scenes. Additional controversy erupted after the top of final season when the FIA, seemingly on the again of 1 article in F1 Enterprise Journal alleging an abuse of energy, launched a really short-lived investigation into Toto and Susie Wolff. It was rapidly dropped after groups distanced themselves from the suggestion any of them had lodged a grievance in regards to the Mercedes boss and F1 Academy boss sharing data. The FIA investigation may very well be seen as a direct shot at both Susie or Toto Wolff, or each, however both approach it was a messy blunder from the FIA and one which unified groups in a approach which is never seen in Components One. Ferrari boss Vasseur labelled the entire saga “embarrassing” and that precisely summed up how most in F1 felt about it.

A number of weeks later Steve Nielsen, who joined the FIA from F1 12 months in the past to enhance the governing physique’s refereeing of races, stepped down because the governing physique’s sporting director. Nielsen’s appointment had been widespread with drivers and groups alike and there’s now a major void there going into the brand new yr. The FIA is predicted to rejig issues forward of the brand new season however with race selections nonetheless an enormous level of competition in 2023, even with Nielsen in his put up, there’s a feeling this will probably be a key level of battle and unrest once more this season.

Can Norris lastly get win primary?

McLaren was the feel-good story of 2023, going from what gave the impression to be a full-blown disaster in preseason testing to rising as Crimson Bull’s closest challenger by the point it launched a significant automotive improve on the Austrian Grand Prix. Whereas Oscar Piastri confirmed flashes of brilliance and received the dash race in Qatar, Lando Norris was persistently preventing for podiums positions as quickly because the automotive was there for him. He was on the rostrum seven instances — six of which have been because the runner-up – however continues to be but to assert that first F1 victory, which is outstanding for such a gifted driver.

It places Norris in an odd class, as he’s now stage with a well-known F1 nearly-man in Nick Heidfeld for essentially the most podiums (13 general) with out claiming that maiden win. Whereas Heidfeld was by no means near being a celebrity, Norris is already one when it comes to recognition and is clearly probably the most gifted drivers on the grid proper now. We noticed a few of Norris’ extra self-criticial aspect in late 2023, as he bemoaned poor qualifying performances in each Qatar and Abu Dhabi as probably robbing him of a shot at a race win. Beforehand Norris didn’t have automobiles to win races but when McLaren continues its trajectory from final yr, it needs to be in a powerful place to at the very least be aggressive in 2024. And, regardless of how gifted a driver is, the narrative can rapidly shift if a driver appears unable to transform their expertise and the tempo of the automotive into wins. The win will certainly come — however sooner quite than later can be higher for Norris and McLaren to cease it turning into an even bigger speaking level or supply of frustration, particularly with the Englishman set to enter a contract yr in 2025.

Can Alonso and Aston Martin repeat its 2023 begin?

Fernando Alonso was the star of the primary few months of final yr, which noticed his Aston Martin crew surprisingly emerge as Crimson Bull’s nearest contender, as he scored a string of podiums. The story which adopted is well-known now, as Aston Martin slowly fell behind the progress being made by McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari by the center of the yr. Alonso nonetheless grabbed podiums later within the season with sensible drives at Zandvoort and Interlagos, the latter in arguably the second of the season after a titanic tussle with Sergio Perez over the closing laps.

There is not any purpose to suppose Aston cannot replicate related this yr. Aston Martin boss Lawrence Stroll has invested massive on this crew, poaching massive expertise like aerodynamicist Eric Blandin from Mercedes and technical director Dan Fallows from Crimson Bull. Halfway by 2023 the crew moved right into a state-of-the-art new manufacturing unit reverse the Silverstone circuit, which appeared to coincide with the crew’s worst spell of kind. The power of the crew Stroll has put collectively behind the scenes will probably be seen in 2024 with its new services up and working from the start. Questions stay in regards to the crew he has put collectively on observe, nonetheless.

Can Aston severely deal with Lance Stroll?

With Alonso on the helm, massive outcomes all the time appear potential if the Aston Martin can produce a half-decent automotive, though the identical can’t be mentioned about his teammate Lance, son of Lawrence, who continues to seem like the Achilles Heel of the entire operation. All eight of Aston’s podiums final yr got here by way of Alonso, who Stroll struggled to match by the season.

In equity to Stroll, Alonso is without doubt one of the finest drivers of his technology, however he left too many factors on the desk final yr. If Aston has made a step ahead and is in any sort of battle for constructors’ championship place with any of its rivals, Stroll’s performances will probably be below the microscope greater than ever. Some really feel the youthful Stroll has a seat for all times so long as his father is in cost, however in some unspecified time in the future you must surprise if enterprise ambition will overtake household loyalty, particularly coming right into a yr the place there needs to be loads of potential replacements.

The driving force market

2023 was outstanding in that there was no driver motion for 2024 — each driver retained their seat. That shouldn’t be the case once more, with this yr shaping as much as be an awesome yr for the driving force market, F1’s model of the switch window or free company. Perez’s 2025 seat will probably be a giant speaking level, as will Stroll’s future, however Ferrari can be but to increase Charles Leclerc or Carlos Sainz past 2024.

It’s believed Leclerc and Ferrari have agreed a bumper new deal to increase him in direction of the top of the last decade. Sainz’s future appears much less clear, though it appears doubtless he’ll get a shorter extension of his personal. His subsequent logical transfer seems to be re-joining former McLaren boss Andreas Seidl when Audi takes over the Sauber crew (referred to as Stake in 2024 and 2025) for 2026. Nonetheless, whereas these two Ferrari drivers stay un-signed, the door is open for hypothesis of the crew (and both driver) entering into a distinct course.

This brings us again to Albon, who was one of many stars of 2023 and is a giant a part of this entire puzzle. It’s believed Albon is eager to get himself freed from his present Williams deal, which has him on the crew till 2025. Sources have informed ESPN two groups tried to get Albon out of that deal to drive for them final yr, unsuccessfully, and several other are monitoring his scenario as they assess plans going ahead.

Past that a number of different names will bounce round. Logan Sargeant is in a make-or-break yr with Williams after an underwhelming rookie season. Comparable may be mentioned of Zhou Guanyu at Sauber (beforehand Alfa Romeo and now renamed Stake) as he enters his third F1 season. Former F2 champion Felipe Drugovich continues to be ready within the wings and needs to be seen as a superb choice for any of the groups on the again finish of the grid in search of a younger, fast driver in future, though he’s presently tied down as Aston Martin reserve driver.

One other title to placed on the radar: Mercedes junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who will flip 18 in August. The Italian wonderkid, seen because the nation’s most fun prospect for many years, has bypassed Components 3 totally for Components 2, the place he’ll race with Prema. Rookie champions are uncommon within the feeder sequence but when Antonelli matches the hype in yr one he may in a short time be part of the dialog about who will probably be on the Components One grid. Keep in mind the title and watch this house.