Minute by minute updates on the opening day of the 2024 F1 Bahrain pre-season test
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The 2024 F1 season is here with the start of pre-season testing in Bahrain.
All 10 teams have completed their launches but the opening day of testing marks the first time each 2024 car is truly unveiled to the world.
With Red Bull coming off a dominant 2023 season when it won all but one grand prix, can any of its rivals take the fight to the defending world champions?
The Bahrain pre-season test will run between 21-23 February, with each day’s track action starting at 7am GMT (10am local time).
Plenty of early takers, as Ocon for Alpine, Magnussen for Haas, Leclerc for Ferrari, Verstappen for Red Bull and Tsunoda for RB also join the fun. Just McLaren missing in the first 60 seconds.
Russell in the Mercedes is keen to get things going, as he parks his brand new W15 at the end of pitlane with two minutes before the green flag is waved. Looks like they'll be winning the first out of pitlane race this year!
With Red Bull doing a Mercedes with its car sidepods, testing will be a pretty big clue if it has been able to perfect what its rivals couldn't over the previous two years. Red Bull's Helmut Marko outlined its plan here.
All 10 teams have undergone a variety of launches - some revealing actual cars, some pretending to - and the buzzwords of the early reveals was 'carbon' and 'fibre'. Everything was largely going as expected until Red Bull showed off its very different RB20.
If you're wondering what is new in F1 this year, first of all where have you been?! We're not mad, just disappointed. But not to worry, we'll get you up to speed before the pitlane turns green in just under 20 minutes.
Good morning one and all! Today is the day, the start of the 2024 F1 season with pre-season testing under way at 7am GMT. So glad you could make it, so settle in comfortably and let's begin.
