F1 Saudi Arabian GP 2024: Winners and Losers

The Saudi Arabian GP showcased thrilling performances and unexpected outcomes, shaping the narrative of the Formula 1 2024 season. While Max Verstappen and Red Bull continued their dominance, there were notable winners and losers on the track in Jeddah. Let’s delve into the highlights of the race and identify the drivers who emerged victorious and those who faced disappointment.

Winners

Ollie Bearman: A Star is Born

Ollie Bearman made a memorable debut in Formula 1, showcasing both his remarkable skill and tenacity on the track. Even in the face of early difficulties, he showed incredible calmness, making calculated mistakes and holding off more experienced opponents.

Ferrari’s belief in Bearman’s ability is demonstrated by their choice to put it ahead of his Formula 2 commitments.

After starting eleventh in qualifying, Bearman finished in seventh place, which is impressive and suggests a bright future for him in Formula 1. His amazing debut weekend, in which he effortlessly explored new ground, establishes him as a budding talent in the sport.

Well that was a weekend to remember! 👊 @OllieBearman #SaudiArabianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/Dhq4hhSzjs

— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) March 9, 2024

Max Verstappen and Red Bull: Unmatched Dominance

In yet another commanding victory, Max Verstappen and the Red Bull team reaffirmed their dominance on the track. Verstappen’s flawless performance solidified his reputation as a formidable contender, while Red Bull’s strategic acumen ensured a seamless race.

Verstappen and Red Bull continue to set the bar for their competitors with their unparalleled on-track performances, despite their apparent victory. Red Bull manages to perform exceptionally well despite these difficulties, and they should be applauded for their supremacy at the F1 Saudi Arabian GP.

Your top three in Jeddah! 🥇🥈🥉#F1 #SaudiArabianGP pic.twitter.com/Rpo2RncBPA

— Formula 1 (@F1) March 9, 2024

Fernando Alonso: Resilience Rewarded

Fernando Alonso made an outstanding effort that was much beyond expectations and showed his relentless resolve. Alonso’s superb driving produced a remarkable result despite concerns about Aston Martin’s performance. Doubts about the team’s competitiveness are dispelled by his outstanding performance, which also gives him more confidence.

Even though Alonso wasn’t initially optimistic about the team’s chances, his strong drive got them 10 points.

Haas: Strategic Triumph

Haas‘s strategic brilliance stunned spectators as he seized chances to gain crucial points. Kevin Magnussen represented Haas’s increased competitiveness with his strategic moves and selfless team sacrifice. Their calculated risk paid off, displaying their ability to compete with more seasoned midfield players.

Haas, which is currently sixth in the championship, credits its drivers’ teamwork for their performance. The team’s flexibility was demonstrated during the race.

Magnussen was out of the running for points even though he was given multiple 10-second penalties.

But the squad showed extraordinary foresight in grabbing the chance. Haas hopes to maintain their momentum as the season gets off to a solid start.

Tsunoda brings out the Viking in Magnussen 😵#F1 #SaudiArabianGP pic.twitter.com/KwR4ObA5hK

— Formula 1 (@F1) March 10, 2024

Losers

Daniel Ricciardo: A Nightmare Race

Daniel Ricciardo had a difficult race as he had obstacles that made it difficult for him to perform well on the circuit. His difficulties have made many wonder if he can compete with Verstappen.

Magnussen’s penalty did not make up for Ricciardo’s considerable lead; this underscores how difficult the race was for him.

There are questions over Ricciardo’s future at Red Bull because of the Australian driver’s struggles, which stand in stark contrast to those of his colleague Tsunoda, who performed better.

Ricciardo’s dismal qualifying performance and subsequent spin made matters worse, highlighting the urgency of making a swift recovery to establish his value as the Red Bull driver. Ricciardo is under increasing pressure to turn around his situation, even though there is still time for improvement.

Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton: Underperformer

Currently, Mercedes find themselves at best in the fourth position in the hierarchy, having been overtaken by both Ferrari and McLaren. However, these rival teams also have their areas for improvement.

Despite Mercedes’ third attempt at a ground-effects car, which was expected to be introduced in 2022, the team still struggles to make significant progress.

During practice sessions, Hamilton expressed concerns about the lack of confidence in the rear of the car and the need for more stability in high-speed sections. In the race, the McLarens proved to be notably faster in Sector 1, with Hamilton relying on defensive skills to hold off Oscar Piastri.

While Mercedes faces challenges in mastering one ground-effect concept, Red Bull is already advancing with its second iteration, and Ferrari appears to have found success with the SF-24.

Looking ahead, Mercedes may continue to struggle next season due to the limited changes allowed in car designs until the rules reset in 2026. This reset could offer Mercedes the opportunity to reclaim its position as a contender for race and title victories.

Lance Stroll: From Bad to Worse

Following an early accident and subsequent irritation over team communication, Lance Stroll’s race took a turn for the worst. His careless play and lack of sportsmanship compounded his problems and highlighted the need for introspection and development.

On lap seven, Lance Stroll, an Aston Martin driver, ran into the barriers at Turn 22 after traveling at a speed of 140 mph into the apex wall of the previous turn. A safety car period was instituted as a result of this accident, and most of the field pitted.

Aston Martin, meanwhile, saw a clear difference between Lance Stroll’s difficulties and Fernando Alonso’s unwavering determination. After running into the wall on lap six, Stroll’s race came to an abrupt halt, casting doubt on his future with the team.

Oscar Piastri

Coming in fourth should typically be considered a solid outcome, especially for McLaren, positioned as the third-fastest team but facing a significant deficit in straight-line speed.

Early on, he showed promise, hovering around the front pack. Yet, his race was hindered by spending nearly 25 laps stuck behind Hamilton, unable to execute a pass and maintain position.

Although he never managed to overtake the Mercedes, even after Hamilton’s pit stop freed up space, Piastri’s performance remained commendable despite the setback.

Piastri’s prowess in high-speed corners was evident throughout the weekend, notably outperforming teammate Lando Norris, who narrowly escaped penalty for a potential jump-start.

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