This is how the tricky global classification of the F1 2024 tests remains: Sainz, the best time of the three days and Alonso, far away.

The final times of the Formula 1 preseason tests are of little importance. Every year, teams hide a lot of potential during the preseason in order not to give clues to their rivals at the beginning of the season and surprise in the first races. The teams go to an extent not to reveal their true pure one-lap performance, with many of them deciding to save a lot of potential in their one-lap times, something that results in a misleading which is the global classification of the F1 2024 tests if the results are combined. each driver’s best time in the total accumulated time of the three days of testing conducted in Bahrain.

Playing tricks on the weather

All teams have many elements to avoid showing their cards and be able to complete the planned task without making things clear to their opponents and for the F1 test to end in a tricky global classification.

They play with the fuel level of the car, the work program to be carried out, the time of day at which to set the time depending on whether there are worse or better track conditions and more or less heat, something that greatly changes the performance of the car. a car and drivers usually raise their foot in certain sectors of the track during their fast lap or just push in a certain sector so as not to reveal more than necessary and try deceive In any case, each team finds a way to know what time it can achieve in the tests and its real performance, but the other teams will not discover it until the first classification.

In fact, many drivers finish the F1 tests without going to the final day, when in theory they should attack more, or even without using the softest compound 5 tires available, something that makes us Let’s find a global classification. in tests that should be done with extreme caution. You have to look beyond the lap times to draw conclusions.

An example of this is seeing Zhou Guanyu (Sauber) in fourth position. The Chinese driver mounted a soft tire (C4) in the final moments of the test, when the track was better, to continue the attack and show more potential than the others. Pure makeup with a completely unreal position. He was no longer where he was. Russell also set his time on the C4 rubber in those final minutes and that cast more doubt.

Fernando Alonso, 11th which should not be true

But what is clear is that many pilots decide not to do it. Among them, Fernando Alonso who on the 3rd day preferred not to use the softer C4 and C5 rubber, and where he set a better time, because he wanted to focus his work on tires that will be used in the first Grand Prix of the year in Bahrain next week (C1, C2 and C3). Alonso was seen setting the record in the first sector, but with a worse speed in sector 1 and sector 2, but with C3 rubber (which will be the soft qualifying tire for the Bahrain GP) to prepare for the first event of the year.

So, Fernando Alonso’s 11th position showing the general classification of F1 2024 tests in the global calculation of three days must be misleading and false. Fernando should aim for more. Of course, behind Red Bull there is a very tight area of ​​the grid with many cars and in it any mistake in qualifying that costs you a few tenths can leave you in Q3.

Why is Verstappen 6th?

Hamilton also did not ride in C3 at his best time, neither did a Max Verstappen who everyone considered should be the best favorite for victory in Bahrain and who, however, is not leading this classification because it is clear that he reserved more and did not want to go for an attack lap with the C4 rubber as did Ferrari, who thus dominated the three days of testing with a double. That’s not indicative at all. His good pace in the long run speaks volumes about Ferrari’s great stride forward.

Combined classification of the three days of F1 testing:

1. Carlos Sainz (ESP/Ferrari) 1’29″991, C4 (DAY 2)
2. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 1’30″322, C4 (DAY 3)
3. George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) 1’30″368, C4 (DAY 3)
4. Zhou Guanyu (CHI/Sauber) 1’31″805, C4 (DAY 3)
5. ‘Checo’ Perez (MEX/Red Bull) 1’30″679, C3 (DAY 2)
6. Max Verstappen (PB/Red Bull) 1’30″755, C3 (DAY 3)
7. Yuki Tsunoda (JAP/RB) 1’30″775, C4 (DAY 3)
8. Alex Albon (TAI/Williams) 1’30″984, C4 (DAY 3)
9. Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren) 1’31″030 (DAY 3)
10. Lewis Hamilton (GBr/ Mercedes) 1’31″066, C3 (DAY 2)
11. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin) 1’31″159s (DAY 3)
12. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren) 1’31″256 (DAY 3)
13. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/RB) 1’31″361, C4 (Day 2)
14. Nico Hülkenberg (ALE/Haas) 1’31″686 (DAY 3)
15. Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin) 1’32″029 (DAY 3)
16. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine) 1’32″061, C3 (DAY 2)
17. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine) 1’32″149, C3 (DAY 3)
18. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Sauber) 1’32″277, C3 (DAY 2)
19. Logan Sargeant (USA/Williams) 1’32″578, C3 (DAY 2)
20. Kevin Magnussen (DIN/Haas) 1’33″053, C3 (DAY 3)