
# Race 1 - Bahrain 2024 

The 2024 Formula 1 season kicked off in Bahrain, and it was business as usual for the three-time world champion Max Verstappen. During qualifying, he dominated once again, taking the first pole position of the year with a blistering lap. His Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez, was 0.357 seconds slower, which placed him P5 on the starting grid.
Despite starting from P5, Perez had a fantastic race. He made an incredible move into Turn 1, overtaking Carlos Sainz on the outside to climb to P4 by the end of the first corner. Over the course of the race, Perez methodically worked his way up the field, ultimately finishing in P2 behind Verstappen. This result gave Red Bull Racing the best possible start to the 2024 season, locking in a 1-2 finish.
However, the gap between the two Red Bull drivers was striking—Perez finished a significant **22.457** seconds behind Verstappen. So, what happened? Let’s dive into some data points to explore where the differences came from.

---
## Lap Time Difference: Verstappen vs Perez

![Lap Time Difference](/images/bahrain_2024/ver_perez_bahrain_lap_time_diff_2024.png)
Analyzing the lap times reveals a consistent delta between Verstappen and Perez across the race. The laps where Perez outperformed Verstappen were primarily around the pit windows, as is common when one driver is on fresher tires while the other remains on worn rubber.
Both drivers were on the same strategy: **soft-hard-soft**. However, Verstappen, leading the race, had the luxury of managing his tires more effectively with free air. This allowed him to extend the life of his soft compound stint, enabling him to push harder when needed in the later stage of the race. In contrast, Perez had to push and bring the fight to the number drivers in front of him, which caused him to wear out his tyre quicker than his team mate. 

---
## Sector Time Breakdown

![Sector Time Breakdown](/images/bahrain_2024/ver_perez_sector_diff_bahrain_2024.png)
To better understand where Verstappen outperformed Perez, we need to analyze the sector times:
- **First Stint (Soft Tires, shaded red)**:
In Sector 1, Perez was quicker than Verstappen, possibly a sector he felt confident in and benefiting from slipstreaming early in the race.
However, in Sector 2 and Sector 3, Verstappen gained significant time. His superior car control was handy as most of the high and low speed corners were in both these sectors.

- **Second Stint (Hard Tires, shaded grey)**:
After switching to hard tires, Perez’s pace in Sector 1 dropped. Not sure if he was managing his tires early in the stint or the setup didn’t like hard compounds at all. But I would guess he has been told to manage the hard compounds as the second stint is a long one.
Verstappen, meanwhile, capitalized on his fresh hard tires, consistently setting personal bests in Sector 1 over the first few laps of this stint. This aggressive approach, coupled with his ability to extract maximum performance from his Red Bull, widened the gap further to Perez. Perhaps he was fed information by his engineer on where his team mate was faster 

- **Third Stint (Soft Tires, shaded red)**:
Verstappen’s second pit stop saw him bolt on fresh soft tires, with a lighter fuel load, allowing him to unleash the full potential of the car. He immediately set the fastest lap of the race, showcasing his talent, confidence with the car and his speed.

---
## Throttle Response Analysis

![Throttle Response](/images/bahrain_2024/ver_perez_bahrain_throttle_2024.png)
Looking at their throttle responses (fastest lap), it’s evident that Max was a lot more confident with his car, as he is able to brake later into the chicane and accelerate sooner when exiting. 

Examining throttle response data highlights a clear difference in driving styles and car confidence between the two drivers:
- **Braking Later**:
Verstappen was consistently able to brake later into corners. This indicates greater confidence in the car’s stability under braking and his ability to extract maximum performance.

- **Accelerating Earlier**:
On exits, Verstappen applied the throttle sooner than Perez, allowing him to carry more speed onto the straights. This trait was especially evident in turn 1, where it was tight and low-speed.

Perez, on the other hand, showed a slightly more cautious approach in his throttle application. This could be attributed to tire management or a difference in car setup that didn’t allow him to push as aggressively as Verstappen when needed. The fastest laps from both drivers came about after their second pitstop, on lap 39 and 40 respectively.

---
## Intermediate Speed Analysis

![Intermediate Speed](/images/bahrain_2024/ver_perez_bahrain_intermediate_speed_2024.png)
Speed traps are strategically placed across the track, with one in each sector. Intermediate 1 marks the speed trap within Sector 1, while Intermediate 2 corresponds to the speed trap in Sector 2. When analyzing the intermediate speeds, Max edged out Sergio by a small margin in Intermediate 1, showcasing his ability to carry speed early in the lap. However, the gap widened significantly in Intermediate 2, where Verstappen was a notable 8 km/h quicker than Perez. While the precise location of the speed trap is not publicly available, it’s clear that performance in the preceding corners plays a critical role. Sector 2 had a series of high speed corners one after another. A strong exit from these corners allows drivers to maintain momentum and achieve higher speeds at the speed trap, amplifying the advantage of optimal car control and setup. Verstappen’s superior ability to extract performance from his car in these crucial sections is evident from this analysis. Their top speed on the finishing line could indicate that their downforce setup is very similar to each other. 


| Driver/Metric | Intermediate 1 (kph) | Intermediate 2 (kph) | Finish Line (kph) |
|--------------|---------------------|---------------------|------------------|
| Fastest Recorded | 241 (ALO) | 272 (PIA) | 293 (RUS) |
| Verstappen | 239 | 265 | 281 |
| Perez | 234 | 257 | 281 |


![Bahrain Circuit](/images/bahrain_2024/Bahrain_Track_Map_ENG-1.jpg)
[Image Source](https://f1chronicle.com/formula-1-circuit-maps/#Bahrain-International-Circuit)

## Conclusion
In Bahrain, Verstappen once again demonstrated why he’s a three-time world champion. His ability to manage tires, push the limits of the car, and consistently extract maximum performance made the difference. While Perez showed promise with strong overtakes and steady improvement throughout the race, the data highlights that Verstappen’s confidence in the car and precision in braking and acceleration gave him the edge.
As the season progresses, it will be fascinating to see if Perez can close the gap or if Verstappen will continue to dominate. One thing is clear: Red Bull has started 2024 with a statement.


---
#### Data Sources and Methodology
>All Formula 1 data points were obtained using the FastF1 API, an open-source Python library for processing Formula 1 telemetry and timing data.
>Data analysis and visualizations were performed using Python, leveraging:
>	- **Pandas** for data manipulation and cleaning.
>	- **Matplotlib** and Seaborn (sns) for creating detailed visualizations.





Race 1 Bahrain 2024


# Race 2 - Saudi Arabia 2024



The second race of the season took place in Saudi Arabia, featuring a circuit with an impressive 27 turns—the most of any track on the calendar.

In **Q3**, Max Verstappen once again showcased his dominance, securing pole position with a brilliant lap. Charles Leclerc followed in **P2**, while Sergio Pérez took **P3**. Fernando Alonso continued his strong start to the season, securing **P4** in his Aston Martin to complete the first two rows of the grid. Lewis Hamilton faced a tougher session, qualifying in **P8**, nearly a second off Max’s pace, reflecting limited progress for Mercedes compared to last year.

Sergio Pérez’s fans were hoping for a repeat of his success in 2023, but the race brought a familiar result, with Pérez finishing 13 seconds behind his teammate. Meanwhile, young Oliver Bearman impressed on his debut, finishing **P7** and scoring his first points. The race wasn’t as kind to Lance Stroll, who clipped the wall and DNFed early in his Aston Martin, triggering a safety car.

Despite the tight regulations governing car design, the differences between teams’ approaches remain striking. These contrasts are further amplified by the strategic use of DRS, which continues to play a pivotal role in shaping modern Formula 1 races.

---

## DRS: Red Bull Vs Ferrari 

![Lap 3 DRS](/images/saudi_arabia_2024/LEC_PER_lap_3_speed_comparison_with_turns.png)
Checo was setting himself up for an overtake on Charles during **lap 3**. In Sector 1, both drivers were evenly matched, navigating the 12 turns with precision. However, differences started to appear on the long straight between Turns 12 and 13, as well as through the fast sweeping sequence of Turns 14, 15, and 16. High-speed sequences like these demand precision, particularly on a street circuit like Jeddah, where mistakes can result in a DNF. Checo’s smooth speed increase compared to Charles hinted at either greater confidence or a more stable car setup. His familiarity with success in Jeddah, following last year’s strong performance, may have also played a role. Upon reaching the first DRS zone, the speed difference between the two drivers became substantial—a trend that continued in the second DRS zone—highlighting not only the strengths of Red Bull’s car design and setup but also Checo’s growing confidence on the track.




## DRS: Mclaren Vs Mercedes
> **Lewis:** They’re killing us in the high-speed.  
> **Bonnington:** Yeah copy Lewis, GPS agrees.  
> **Bonnington:** Only losses, Lewis, the high-speed and that time straight line with DRS. You are strong turns one, two.

![Lap 19 Mclaren Vs Mercedes](/images/saudi_arabia_2024/HAM_PIA_lap_19_speed_comparison_with_turns.png)

![Lap 20 Mclaren Vs Mercedes](/images/saudi_arabia_2024/HAM_PIA_lap_20_speed_comparison_with_turns.png)

![Lap 21 Mclaren Vs Mercedes](/images/saudi_arabia_2024/HAM_PIA_lap_21_speed_comparison_with_turns.png)

![Lap 22 Mclaren Vs Mercedes](/images/saudi_arabia_2024/HAM_PIA_lap_22_speed_comparison_with_turns.png)

![Lap 23 Mclaren Vs Mercedes](/images/saudi_arabia_2024/HAM_PIA_lap_23_speed_comparison_with_turns.png)


The battle between Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes and Oscar Piastri’s McLaren was an exciting showcase of skill and craft, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

From **lap 16 to lap 36**, Piastri remained glued to Hamilton’s rear, showcasing McLaren’s strength in the high-speed corners of **Turns 6 through 9**. Sector 1 highlighted McLaren’s aerodynamic efficiency and its ability to generate downforce, but its DRS system didn’t deliver the same overtaking power seen with Red Bull’s. This made it much harder for Piastri to make a move, even when he got close enough.

Hamilton’s experience and race craft shone through during this battle. He positioned his car perfectly to defend against Piastri, forcing him to take suboptimal lines, thus making it difficult for the young driver to find an opening. He has made a few attempts at turn 1 but ran wide and had to give the position back. Piastri, for his part, showed great persistence, keeping the pressure on Hamilton lap after lap without making mistakes. The result was a tense back-and-forth, with Hamilton using his defensive skills and Piastri doing everything he could to try and get past.

![Piastri Lap 17 turn 1](/images/saudi_arabia_2024/piastri_lap17_turn1.png)
*Piastri's overtake attempt on turn 1 (From F1 TV)*

![Distance to Hamilton](/images/saudi_arabia_2024/PIA_distance_to_driver_ahead_with_corners.png)
*Piastri running wide and had to concede the position back on lap 17*

When Hamilton pitted on **lap 36**, it ended an intense part of the race. Home viewers were treated to a true exhibition of racing skills, as both drivers delivered a masterclass in racecraft. Piastri’s performance reaffirmed his status as one of the sport’s rising stars. 

![Jeddah Circuit](/images/saudi_arabia_2024/Saudi_Arabia_Jeddah.png)
[Image Source](https://f1chronicle.com/formula-1-circuit-maps)

| Driver/Metric | Intermediate 1 (kph) | Intermediate 2 (kph) | Finish Line (kph) |
|--------------|---------------------|---------------------|------------------|
| Fastest Recorded | 295 (HAM, Soft, L46) | 332 (OCO,Hard, L28) | 315 (ALB, Hard, L32) |
| Verstappen | - | 315 (Hard, L50) | 292 (Hard, L50) |
| Perez | 286 (Hard, L37) | 303 (Hard, L37) | 295 (Hard, L37) |

## Conclusion
This duel wasn’t just about car performance—it was about the skill and determination of two drivers at very different stages of their careers, the old guard versus the next generation talent. It is also a great reminder of what makes Formula 1 exciting: close racing, smart tactics, and drivers pushing each other to the limit.


---

#### Data Sources and Methodology
>All Formula 1 data points were obtained using the FastF1 API, an open-source Python library for processing Formula 1 telemetry and timing data.
>Data analysis and visualizations were performed using Python, leveraging:
>	- **Pandas** for data manipulation and cleaning.
>	- **Matplotlib** and Seaborn (sns) for creating detailed visualizations.

Race 2 Saudi Arabia 2024

# Race 3 - Australia 2024



Carlos Sainz, returning after missing Saudi Arabia due to appendicitis surgery and facing an uncertain future without a 2025 contract, delivered a statement performance in Melbourne. With Max Verstappen retiring from the race after car issues, Carlos seized the opportunity and drove like his career depended on it. Mercedes on the other hand suffered a double DNF, with Russell crashing the car on lap 57 and Lewis retiring from a car issue. 

![Max DNF Australia](/images/australia_2024/max_dnf_australia_2024.gif)


---

## Battle of Team Mates: Sainz Vs Leclerc 


On lap 2, Carlos overtook Max, asserting himself early. Before his first pit stop on lap 16, he consistently delivered personal bests in sectors 1 and 3, while Charles Leclerc maintained control in sector 2.

![Lap Difference](/images/australia_2024/lap_time_diff_plotsainz_leclerc_australia_2024.jpg)
*Time differences between Carlos and Charles by lap (pit laps removed)*

However, after Carlos switched to a fresh set of hard tires, Leclerc’s dominance in sector 2 faded. From laps 17 to 34, Carlos extended the gap by maximizing performance in the faster sections of the track. His team radio highlighted his confidence, as he continued to clock competitive lap times and maintain a strong rhythm.
Charles pitted on lap 34, bolting on another set of hards, and immediately began pushing to close the gap. By the time Carlos made his second pit stop, he had built a comfortable 6-second lead. Despite Leclerc’s efforts to claw the gap back to 3.5 seconds, Russell’s crash at turn 6 on lap 58 brought out a Virtual Safety Car (VSC), effectively neutralizing the fight to the finish.

## Sector Analysis
1.	**Sector 1**: Carlos showed impressive control through the medium-speed sequences, often gaining a tenth or two over Charles.
2.	**Sector 2**: Initially a stronghold for Charles, his performance dipped post-pit stop. Track evolution and car set up may have impacted his grip levels here.
3.	**Sector 3**: Carlos consistently gained time throughout the race, proving himself to be good in slow speed corners.
![Sector Difference](/images/australia_2024/sector_time_sainz_leclerc_australia_2024.jpg)

![Track Dominance Sai Lec](/images/australia_2024/track_dominance_sainz_lec_australia_lap38.jpg)

## Former Arch Rival: Russell Vs Perez
With Max Verstappen bowing out due to technical issues, Sergio Perez was Red Bull’s sole hope in Australia. This presented Perez with a golden opportunity to recover points and close the gap to his dominant teammate. However, his race didn’t begin smoothly—he lost a position to George Russell off the start and had to fight his way back up the field.

### Lap 2: DRS Comes into Play
By lap 2, Perez was hot on Russell’s tail, staying within DRS range. The Red Bull’s superior pace in sector 2, where high-speed corners reign supreme, became evident as Perez relentlessly pressured the Mercedes through every turn.

Despite Perez’s pace advantage in the high-speed sections, Russell put on a defensive masterclass, making it difficult for Perez to overtake. It wasn’t until Russell pitted that Perez finally got the clean air he needed to begin closing in on Oscar Piastri ahead.
![Russell Vs Perez](/images/australia_2024/sector_time_diff_plot_rus_per_australia_2024.jpg)
*Sector-by-sector comparison between Russell and Perez*

### The DRS Power: Speed Advantage

**Lap 5 speed comparison between Perez and Russell**

Throughout their battle, Perez demonstrated just how much of a weapon DRS can be on a track like Albert Park. The speed differential between the two cars as can be seen below in the graph, was most pronounced between turns 8 and 9 and between turns 10 and 11, where Perez’s DRS activation allowed him to gain significantly on Russell.
![Lap 5 Speed Comparison](/images/australia_2024/RUS_PER_lap_5_speed_comparison_with_turns.jpg)
*Lap 5 Speed Comparison Russell and Perez*

![Lap 6 Speed Comparison](/images/australia_2024/RUS_PER_lap_6_speed_comparison_with_turns.jpg)
*Lap 6 Speed Comparison Russell and Perez*

![Track Dominance Rus Per](/images/australia_2024/track_dominance_rus_per_australia_2024.jpg)
*Lap 8 Track Dominance between Russell and Perez where the Red Bull reign supreme in high speed corners*

**Breakthrough and Free Air**

Perez finally gained the upper hand when Russell pitted. With no obstacles in front of him, Perez unleashed the full potential of his Red Bull, setting a string of competitive laps as he chased down Piastri. The Red Bull’s dominance through high-speed corners and with DRS was unmistakable, reinforcing their advantage over much of the field.

## Telemetry Analysis: Hamilton vs Sainz
After years of dominance, Lewis Hamilton’s telemetry from this race hints at ongoing struggles with car balance and control. The comparison with Carlos Sainz’s data paints a stark contrast, suggesting that while Sainz was fully in control, Hamilton was battling his car throughout the race.

### Sainz’s Consistency: A Driver in the Zone


Carlos Sainz’s engine RPM, throttle application, and gear changes were impressively stable lap after lap. This suggests that Sainz was in a rhythm, executing each corner with precision. His smooth inputs indicate a strong connection with the car, allowing him to extract performance without needing constant adjustments.


**Key observations:**
- **Engine RPM**: Minimal fluctuations through corners.
- **Throttle**: Consistent full-throttle application out of exits.
- **Gears**: Predictable shifts at optimal points.
This level of stability typically reflects confidence in the car’s handling and balance.
![Sainz Telemetry](/images/australia_2024/driver_telemetry_plot_sainz_australia_2024.jpg)

### Hamilton’s Struggles: Fighting the Car


**Hamilton’s telemetry, by contrast, reveals irregularities:**
- **Engine RPM**: More frequent and pronounced fluctuations through corner sequences.
- **Throttle**: Hesitant application, particularly in high-speed sections, likely indicating understeer or traction concerns.
- **Gears**: Inconsistent shifts, suggesting he was either reacting to unexpected car behavior or adapting on the fly.

This could indicate a lack of trust in the car’s stability. The telemetry suggests Hamilton had to make repeated corrections, which would disrupt his rhythm and prevent him from optimizing lap times. In past seasons, his data likely displayed the same precision Sainz exhibited here—a hallmark of Hamilton’s mastery during Mercedes’ peak dominance.

The telemetry comparison underlines the challenges faced by Mercedes and Hamilton in 2024. Sainz, with a stable and balanced Ferrari, was able to perform consistently and effortlessly. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s inconsistent inputs suggest a deeper issue with car setup or performance—one that likely left him frustrated and unable to compete at the level he’s accustomed to.

![Hamilton Telemetry](/images/australia_2024/driver_telemetry_plot_ham_australia.jpg)


### Albert Park Circuit
![Albert Park Circuit](/images/australia_2024/albert_park.jpg)
[Image Source](https://f1chronicle.com/formula-1-circuit-maps)

| Driver/Metric | Intermediate 1 (kph) | Intermediate 2 (kph) | Finish Line (kph) |
|--------------|---------------------|---------------------|------------------|
| Fastest Recorded | 288 (RUS, Hard, L52) | 336 (MAG,Hard, L42) | 311 (HUL, Hard, L40) |
| SAI | 277 (Hard, L48) | 298 (Hard, L48) | 291 (Hard, L48) |
| LEC | 287 (Hard, L56) | 325 (Hard, L56) | 294 (Hard, L56) |

## Conclusion
The telemetry and performance data from the Australian Grand Prix tell two contrasting stories. Carlos Sainz, in a well-balanced Ferrari, demonstrated precision, consistency, and control.

In contrast, Lewis Hamilton’s data reveals a different reality. The inconsistent RPM and erratic gear shifts suggest that Hamilton was constantly fighting the car rather than being able to trust its behavior through corners. This likely contributed to the difficulty he faced in matching the pace of not just Red Bull and Ferrari, but even other mid-field threats. If the team fails to resolve these stability issues, Hamilton may continue to struggle, even as his skill and racecraft remain undeniable.

Meanwhile, Sainz’s resurgence and growing confidence may bolster Ferrari’s hopes for greater success this season—especially if he can consistently challenge the Red Bulls in future races. Whether this balance of power will shift as development races heat up remains to be seen. For now, the data reveals the current state of play: Red Bull remains the target, with Ferrari closing the gap, and Mercedes still looking for answers.


---

#### Data Sources and Methodology
>All Formula 1 data points were obtained using the FastF1 API, an open-source Python library for processing Formula 1 telemetry and timing data.
>Data analysis and visualizations were performed using Python, leveraging:
>	- **Pandas** for data manipulation and cleaning.
>	- **Matplotlib** and Seaborn (sns) for creating detailed visualizations.

Race 1 Bahrain 2024

Race 2 Saudi Arabia 2024

Race 3 Australia 2024