Sakhir Preview: New era begins in Bahrain

The time for talk is over and it’s almost go time once again in FIA Formula 2. 22 drivers and the 11 teams have had the chance to learn about the all-new 2024 car ahead of the campaign getting underway, but who will hit the ground running at round one?
12 drivers return from last year and are joined by 10 rookies, with everyone pining to become the next Formula 2 Drivers’ Champion while teams will be looking to etch their names onto the Teams’ trophy in 2024.
Here is your guide for Round 1 of the 2024 FIA Formula 2 campaign from Sakhir, Bahrain.
THE FORM BOOK
Torrential rain arrived in time for pre-season testing around the Bahrain International Circuit just under a fortnight ago as all 22 of the new cars were on track together. Once the track dried out, it was Zane Maloney and Rodin Motorsport that led the way, setting the fastest time on both days two and three in Sakhir.
DAMS Lucas Oil’s Jak Crawford also looked strong, finishing second to Maloney twice across the three-day event, and seemed very satisfied with how the French outfit’s running had unfolded.
However, there are plenty of names eager to make themselves known this season and experienced heads now looking to make it count in 2024.
Victor Martins returns with ART Grand Prix alongside rookie Zak O’Sullivan who steps up from FIA Formula 3 having finished last year’s Championship as runner-up.
READ MORE: Change, new challengers and must-see racing: Bruno Michel’s 2024 preview
There are plenty of eyes on PREMA Racing, with freshly named Ferrari Reserve Driver Oliver Bearman joined by Mercedes Junior Team prospect Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who joins after winning the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine title last year.
Maloney is back with Rodin for another season, joined by 2023 Super Formula Champion Ritomo Miyata, and the team looked quick throughout the pre-season test.
Crawford moves over to DAMS Lucas Oil and is joined by Juan Manuel Correa in blue for 2024. Kush Maini switches to Invicta Racing with 2023 F3 Champion Gabriel Bortoleto joining him at the Norfolk-based outfit.
MP Motorsport keep Dennis Hauger in the ranks, the Norwegian driver is joined by Franco Colapinto, who made his F2 debut at the 2023 season finale at Yas Marina last year.
Van Amersfoort Racing pair Enzo Fittipaldi with Rafael Villagómez. Hitech Pulse-Eight have Amaury Cordeel and Paul Aron leading their charge this time around.
Campos Racing have an all-Red Bull Junior Team line-up with Isack Hadjar and Josep María Martí. Trident welcome back Richard Verschoor and Roman Stanek, both taking part in their second season in the Italian team’s colours.
PHM AIX Racing field an all-rookie line-up in 2024, with Joshua Duerksen partnering Taylor Barnard for the upcoming campaign.
WHERE TO WATCH THE SESSIONS
FROM THE GRID – VICTOR MARTINS, ART GRAND PRIX
“I like the track, but the heat can make it quite difficult with tyre degradation. The layout and the track roughness can be an issue, and it’s tricky to manage the tyres, but the approach can make the difference here.
“The corners – I like just after the beginning of sector two because you have quite a high-speed section, Turns 6 and 7 I like, then into 8 and then Turns 9 and 10 where you’re turning and braking combined in the entry phase. In the race you have a good opportunity to out-brake the driver in front at Turn 1 and do a little dive to do a good overtake.
“Tyre prep and getting the warm-up right is crucial. Getting them in the window is the most important thing, then it’s being on the limit without being over and delivering the lap. Maximising from your outlap to your push lap is important.
“We drive Free Practice in the day and it’s quite warm so we get some feeling, but we know that it could be completely different in Qualifying and we then have to adapt everything in terms of driving, tyre preparation and car setup. We have to be open-minded, that’s the key. The wind here can change direction day-to-day, and that can change your approach in a lot of the corners.
“I hope to win straight away and to be at the front, quick and fighting for pole position and wins. We don’t know who the best is yet in terms of teams and drivers, but we have a little picture after testing of who might be fighting at the front. But the goal is to be fighting for pole in Qualifying.”
TECHNICAL PREVIEW
With such heavy tyre degradation expected across the first weekend of the season, teams that get on top of the tyre wear will be able to use that as an advantage in the Sprint and Feature Races.
While the circuit has four long straights and three DRS zones, the twisty second sector means that teams can’t sacrifice too much downforce without overworking the tyres. The layout of the track also leads to higher fuel consumption and heavier brake use with the hardest stopping point coming at Turn 1.
RACE STRATEGY
Pirelli has elected the hard and soft compound tyres for the opening round of the 2024 season. It is the same step in terms of compound as in 2023, which should ensure an intriguing strategic proposition for all teams. Starting out on the hard tyre is a strong option should a driver be able to extend their first stint without losing too much pace, an achievement easier said than done such is the high level of tyre degradation around the Bahrain International Circuit.
Théo Pourchaire was the dominant force last time around in Sakhir. Starting from a pole position he’d won by over seven tenths of a second, the ART Grand Prix driver ran away from the competition, only handing the lead of the race over to Ralph Boschung upon his pitstop and swap to the soft compound tyres on Lap 13.
Once everyone else had pitted and the pit stops were complete, the Frenchman’s lead was comfortable. By the chequered flag, Pourchaire was victorious by a stunning 19 seconds.
Mario Isola, Pirelli Motorsport Director
“There’s a brand new car, previewed at Monza last year, for the 2024 FIA Formula 2 Championship. Pirelli, a partner in the series since the very beginning, has kept the same three compounds as last year – in agreement with the promoter – allowing teams and drivers to learn their new cars while keeping a stable reference point from 2023. This also underlines the adaptability of the Pirelli F2 tyres, which not only meet all the needs laid down by the championship, but also work well on a completely new car compared to the previous generation.
“During the shakedown at Barcelona and test in Bahrain, the teams were able to get to know the 2024 package, and their first impressions of the tyres was positive. The proof will come this weekend at the first race, with the advantage of familiar conditions on a track that the drivers know well.
“Pirelli has chosen the hard and the soft tyres for Sakhir, with the same step between the nominated compounds as seen last year. Differences in their performance and degradation rates will be a key factor in the strategic choices. The soft should be the favourite for the Sprint Race, while one of the keys to the Feature Race will be the usual decision as to whether or not to start on the hard and run long to take advantage of the extra speed from the soft at the end, or vice versa. The Bahrain race has frequently offered a thrilling spectacle thanks to these different strategy options, as well as the relative ease of overtaking.”
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