Formula 1 Kicks off the 2024 Season with the Bahrain Grand Prix
As the 2024 Formula 1 season gets underway, teams have revealed their liveries, the popular series “Drive to Survive” is now available on Netflix, and Red Bull is showing promising performance. The Bahrain Grand Prix will mark the start of this exciting season.
Record Breaking Season Ahead
This year’s Formula 1 season will be historic with a record 24 races scheduled across 21 countries and five continents. The Chinese Grand Prix makes a comeback at the Shanghai International Circuit after a four-year absence due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Notable Driver Changes
While the driver lineup remains unchanged from the end of the 2023 season, a significant shift sees seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton switching from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 season. Hamilton’s time at Mercedes has been illustrious, claiming 82 wins and six world titles since 2013.
Key Schedule Details for the Bahrain Grand Prix
The Bahrain Grand Prix broadcast schedule is as follows for Eastern Time:
– Thursday, February 29:
– 6:25-7:30 a.m.: Free practice 1 (ESPN2, ESPN+, F1TV Pro)
– 9:55-11 a.m.: Free practice 2 (ESPN2, ESPN+, F1TV Pro)
– Friday, March 1:
– 6:25-7:30 a.m.: Free practice 3 (ESPN2, ESPN+, F1TV Pro)
– 10:55 a.m.-Noon: Qualifying (ESPN2, ESPN+, F1TV Pro)
– Sunday, March 2:
– 8:30-9:55 a.m.: Pre-race show (ESPN, ESPN+, F1TV Pro)
– 6:55 a.m.-Noon: Bahrain Grand Prix (ESPN, ESPN+, F1TV Pro)
Race Details
– Track: Bahrain International Circuit, 15-turn, 3.62-mile clockwise racing facility in Sakhir, Bahrain
– Race length: 57 laps
– Tire compounds: C1 (Hard) | C2 (Medium) | C3 (Soft)
– Lap record: 1:31.447 (Pedro de la Rosa, McLaren-Mercedes, 2005)
– 2023 winner: Max Verstappen, Red Bull-RBPT
Top Contenders and Betting Odds
Defending champion Max Verstappen goes into the Bahrain Grand Prix as the favored contender with -300 odds, according to BetMGM. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc follows with 8-to-1 odds. Verstappen dominated the first pre-season testing at Bahrain, while Leclerc led the second session.
Bahrain Grand Prix Driver Entries
Some of the top contenders for the Bahrain Grand Prix include:
– Max Verstappen (1), Red Bull-Honda RBPT
– Sergio Perez (11), Red Bull-Honda RBPT
– Charles Leclerc (16), Ferrari
– Carlos Sainz (55), Ferrari
– Lewis Hamilton (44), Mercedes
– George Russell (63), Mercedes
– Pierre Gasly (10), Alpine-Renault
– Esteban Ocon (31), Alpine-Renault
– Lando Norris (4), McLaren-Mercedes
– Oscar Piastri (81)
The Bahrain Grand Prix promises an exciting start to the 2024 Formula 1 season.