The final three-day pre-season tests in Bahrain are behind us. The teams introduced some interesting technical solutions, and we can already begin to estimate how the balance of power might look.
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| Photo: Mark Sutton |
Pre-season testing revealed one clear thing: we will probably see Mercedes at the front this season. It is evident that the engineers from Brackley have done an excellent job and that the Mercedes power unit is operating at a very high level. Overall, Mercedes completed 282 laps in the first three-day test and an impressive 432 in the second, which speaks to their strong reliability. Altogether, it is likely that Mercedes will be the team setting the pace at the beginning of the season.
However, the situation could be shaken up by the upcoming vote on additional compression ratio testing, which will take place next week. If approved, the compression ratio would also be measured at the engine’s operating temperature after the summer break. For Mercedes, this could mean they would no longer be able to use their “trick” involving material expansion, which allows them to increase the compression ratio.
Close behind Mercedes should be Ferrari. During testing, they impressed everyone with their innovative active aerodynamics solution. The rear wing flap does not open conventionally up and down but instead rotates 180 degrees. How much of a performance advantage this innovation will bring is not yet entirely clear, but the drivers have so far praised the car’s behavior. Charles Leclerc even set the fastest time of the tests — 1:31.992 — which was eight tenths quicker than second-placed Kimi Antonelli.
As the third-fastest force, we can place Red Bull alongside McLaren. This year, however, it is not only about outright speed but also about battery management and the various energy recovery systems. It is clear that these four teams are a step ahead — but what about the midfield?
Alpine does not seem to be in a bad position, especially now that they are using Mercedes power units, which could help them significantly. We can place Haas and Racing Bulls at a similar level. Audi could also fight within this group. Although considered a new team, they have solid experience from previous years when the team was known as Kick Sauber.
Between the midfield and the back of the grid, we could place Williams. They had to miss the initial shakedown in Barcelona, and it appears their car is not in the best shape — reportedly, they are even struggling significantly with excess weight.
At the very back of the grid is expected to be Cadillac, which is understandable considering they are a completely new team from the ground up. Throughout the tests, they struggled heavily with reliability. Another team likely to be at the rear is Aston Martin, who are suffering due to the Honda engine, reportedly losing up to four seconds per lap.
Whether this predicted order is accurate will only become clear during the first race weekend in Melbourne, Australia, on March 6–8.