Bahrain GP
This is what you need to know about the 2024 Formula 1 season
The 2024 Formula 1 season starts with the Bahrain Grand Prix. photo
© Hasan Bratic/dpa
The question of all questions: Who can stop Verstappen? But is it really as clear as it seems? The first answers will be available in Bahrain. The last ones on December 8th – a record season.
On the hunt for more records and the setting of Sebastian Vettel’s four titles with Red Bull can be Max Verstappen can probably only beat himself. At least that is the impression before the start of Formula 1’s record season with 24 races this time.
A season that begins with a novelty in the desert of Sakhir and ends 281 days later on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi with a new or a new old world champion.
What could be the case for the continued dominance of Verstappen and Red Bull?
That Red Bull did not rest on its laurels. Development of the new model – RB 20 for the team’s 20th season in Formula 1 – began early last year. And the engineers led by design genius Adrian Newey dared to do something that Verstappen described as controlled aggressiveness. Fearing that the competition would copy the successful previous model and thus narrow the lead, Newey designed a car that amazed rivals with its daring details. The three-time champion himself speaks in favor of a continuation of the Verstappen show – 19 victories in 22 races last year.
What could suggest an end to dominance?
With a view to the competition, it remains to be seen whether McLaren can continue the trend of the second half of the season, Ferrari can continue to minimize its mistakes and Mercedes can fight for the podium or even victories again with this year’s car.
The situation surrounding team boss Christian Horner is causing more than just disturbing unrest in the Red Bull team. The 50-year-old is accused of inappropriate behavior by an employee. The investigation by an independent lawyer is said to have been completed and, according to Sky Sports, is supposedly available to the parent company Red Bull in a report of over 100 pages. Horner denies the allegations.
Now Oliver Mintzlaff, as the responsible managing director, has to make the decision first and foremost. According to the report, it is likely that this will happen before the first training session of the season on Thursday. It remains to be seen how intact the Red Bull world will be afterwards, as well as the background to whatever decision may be made or the sporting consequences for Verstappen.
Are there any other major changes this year?
There have been no major reforms in the technical regulations. There will be new engine regulations for two years. The new racing cars this season are therefore more or less major developments of the 2023 models. Nothing has changed in the driver field compared to the end of last season. However, because some contracts expire after the upcoming season, there is likely to be a lot of movement on the driver market this year.
Which German drivers are represented this year?
Nothing happened there either. Germany again only has one regular driver: Nico Hülkenberg (36) from the American Haas team. As a replacement and test driver for Mercedes, Mick Schumacher (24) will usually be on site. However, this year he will be competing as a regular driver in the Endurance World Championship for the French manufacturer Alpine for the first time this year.
What are Schumacher’s chances of returning to Formula 1 as a regular driver?
Principle of hope. At least due to the many expiring contracts, plus Lewis Hamilton’s move from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 season, the chance is likely to be significantly greater than it was in the last two years and will probably be afterwards.
Is Germany represented in the racing calendar?
No. Germany again plays no role in the Formula 1 calendar, even if this time it has a record 24 Grand Prix.
Who shows the races in Germany?
The pay channel Sky will once again broadcast all of the Grand Prizes. RTL will also show seven races on free TV this year. This concerns the opening Grand Prix in Bahrain, the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest on July 21st, the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps on July 28th, the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort on August 25th Italian Grand Prix in Monza on September 1st, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku on September 15th and the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 24th.