Mercedes Technical Director James Allison has given a candid assessment of the pecking order ahead of the 2024 season. With pre-season testing now wrapped up, teams and spectators alike are working to decipher where everyone lies.
This is hardly a rare exercise – since this is a yearly phenomenon within the Formula 1 world. However, enthusiasm for predicting the progress teams have made over winter never dissipated.
As it stands, Red Bull are the favourites. All indications suggest they have maintained their advantage over winter. The question is how large the deficit has become – and which teams will be their closest challengers.
Ferrari impressed the paddock across the three days of Bahrain testing, both in their qualifying and race simulations.
The SF-24’s tyre management is perhaps the most critical revelation, considering this has been their weakness in recent seasons.
A team that is relatively difficult to place is Mercedes, who kept a relatively low profile throughout the running at Sakhir.
With that said, James Allison has given a refreshingly honest analysis of where the W15 lies in the pecking order:
“Red Bull are in front. If you look at their race run, it’s quite fierce. Behind, there are several strong teams in the chasing back – Ferrari seems OK, we [Mercedes] seem OK.
“Alonso just did a pretty fair run today. That would be my guess of the three chasers.
“In precisely what order, I’m not sure. I think we looked slightly better on the long runs but a little behind Ferrari on the single-lap stuff.
“I think a lot will depend on who has a good week between now and then.”
Mercedes-AMG F1 W15 E Performance Launch – Sam Bloxham
This analysis places Mercedes slightly above where most have placed the Silver Arrows so far. Broadly speaking, the consensus is that Ferrari are second-fastest.
Then again, the German constructor has clearly disguised much of their pace. Although this can be said for most teams, it seems especially significant for Toto Wolff’s personnel.
Having started last year on the wrong foot, Mercedes is very much on the defensive.
However, history teaches that writing them off is unwise – even at their weakest.
Next weekend, they have an opportunity to capitalise on relatively low expectations and compete for the podium.
Author: Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
