Formula One is back for its 2024 season. The season will kick off with pre-testing in Bahrain, with the Bahrain Grand Prix being held on March 2nd, 2024. Teams have already revealed their drivers and livery. Even though the season has not happened yet, the drama is in full swing. Netflix dropped the 6th season of docuseries “Drive to Survive” which showcases an up close look at the 2023 season. Scuderia Ferrari revealed that Monégasque driver, Charles Leclerc, extended his contract with the team beyond the 2024 season. They also announced that Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG Petronas driver, will be driving with Ferrari for the 2025 season.
During pre-season testing, teams have the opportunity to assess their new cars before racing begins. Haas F1 team had a total of 441 total laps, and amassed the most mileage of all the teams. For Ferrari, Carlo Sainz had the fastest lap of the test with 29.921s. Both drivers shared how they are feeling optimistic about the testing session. Reigning world champions RedBull also had positive pre-season testing, ending with 391 total laps. Kick Sauber’s Valterri Bottas’ running got cut short due to technical issues. However, his teammate Zhou Guanyu pulled through for his team and set the third fastest lap time of the day. Aston Martin tied with Kick Sauber on a total of 379 laps, and their fastest lap was achieved on the third and final day of testing from Fernando Alonso.
Visa Cashapp Red Bull racing recorded a productive lap count, but are potentially expecting a slow start to the season following upgrades added at the end of 2023. With one more season left at Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton spoke positively about the car during testing after a few seasons of difficulty. Alpine racing with an entirely new concept in 2024, the team is still learning about the car; but both drivers positively shared about the cars reliability. Oscar Piastri ended with the fastest lap for McLaren, but his teammate Lando Norris had his testing cut short due to an issue with the clutch. Overall, McLaren’s team has work to do with the cars, but are hoping for a better start to the season than the previous one. Lastly, William’s racing team also faced issues with their new 2024 car, but driver Alex Albon set their quickest time during the last day of testing.
Along with F1 testing, Formula One’s driver academy team, created in 2023, is an all female racing series created by former racing driver Susie Wolff. This team helps develop the drivers skills, and build their way through the F3, F2, and F1 series. Each F1 team chooses an academy driver to drive with their livery during the season. The full lineup for the 2024 season of drivers has not been confirmed yet, but it includes McLaren’s Bianca Busamante, and William’s Lia Block driving for the ART Grand Prix.
This series of motorsport will expand the sport with female drivers having the opportunity to be a part of Formula One. A new partnership with F1 academy and popular cosmetic brand Charlotte Tilbury helps to support female-empowerment in motorsport. Lola Lovinfosse will be driving for Charlotte Tilbury in the upcoming F1 academy season. Senior and President of Woodgrove’s Women in STEM club Charlotte Hannis shares how she feels about this series of racing. “I feel very inspired by the women in Formula One. My favorite female driver is Lella Lombardi, who was the only female to score points for her team,” Hannis states. “Being in a male dominated field myself, I love watching women becoming more involved in motorsport.”
All teams showed to have a productive testing session in Bahrain. Qualifying takes place on March 1st, 2024 to officially kick off the new season. Hopes are high for fans all across the world for the 2024 Formula One season. As F1 commentator David Croft says, “It’s lights out and away we go” as the first Grand Prix for the 2024 season is underway.
