With the upcoming season opener approaching this weekend in Bahrain. Here is 4 key F1 battles to keep an eye on.
Perez vs Ricciardo vs Tsunoda
This time last year many people in the Formula One paddock thought Daniel Ricciardo may never race in the sport again.
The eight-time Grand Prix winner struggled immensely at Mclaren. He could not adapt to the car and was left without a race seat for the 2023 season after having his contract terminated.
He found himself back at the Red Bull family as a reserve driver. But through the failures of Nyck De Vries was catapulted into the Alpha Tauri seat during the season.
Despite the unfortunate incident at Zandvoort which made Ricciardo miss 3 months of the season. His fantastic drive at Mexico, in which he finished p7. This showed that Ricciardo is still capable of producing big results.
Ricciardo’s intentions in Formula One are clear. He wants to return to the Red Bull seat that he gave up back in 2018. Sergio Perez’s seat has become one of large speculation since Ricciardo’s return. Following his inability to support Max Verstappen in last years all conquering RB19.
A spell of Q2 exits, and poor race finishes, has put pressure on Perez whose contract expires in 2025.
If Ricciardo can beat his teammate, Yuki Tsunoda. Show that the ‘honey badger’ has the hunger to compete, then the pressure on Perez will mount.
Red Bull team principle Christian Horner has recently revealed that Daniel Ricciardo is the driver who is “first place in his heart.” Adding more fire to the speculation of who will race for Red Bull come 2025.
Hamilton vs Leclerc
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter eleven seasons at Mercedes, Hamilton will join Ferrari in 2025. It seems that after two winless seasons, Hamilton has lost trust within the British based team. His move to Ferrari, with hopes to eclipse Micheal Schumacher’s 7 world drivers’ championships.
However, Hamilton will go head-to-head with Charles Leclerc for the number one seat at Ferrari. Given Leclerc’s standing within the team, this will be no easy feat. The Monegasque driver has been at the team since 2019.
He has instigated a change in direction for the Maranello based team into investing into youth rather than the sport’s biggest names.
With another season of Red Bull dominance. Much media attention will be on this duel to see which driver will lead the Tifosi next season.
There has not been a Ferrari driver who has won the championship since 2007 with Kimi Räikkönen. But there is optimism with the calibre of drivers that the team will have in 2025.
Mercedes vs Mclaren vs Ferrari
Embed from Getty ImagesLast season saw near complete dominance from Red Bull, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz the only non-Red Bull driver to win a race (excluding sprint format).
The race for second place in the constructor’s championship last season went all the way to the season finale in Abu Dhabi. With Mercedes clinching the spot by three points. And given last weekend’s pre-season testing, both teams look likely to compete for second place again.
Mercedes have taken an innovative approach with their aerodynamic package this season. Ditching the zero sidepod method following Hamilton and Russell’s dissatisfaction with car performance. This aligns the new W15 more with last season’s RB19 to drag the team back into race winning positions.
However, the resurgent Mclaren also have a chance to compete, with one of the most exciting driver line ups on the grid. Oscar Piastri had a stellar rookie season last year, with a couple of podiums in his maiden year.
This partnered with the star face of Mclaren, Lando Norris. Who has left one of the sport’s most iconic teams excited for the future ahead. Despite recent struggles in previous seasons, Mclaren looked the closest team to Red Bull towards the end of the season last year. They will hope to continue this vein of form to continue their climb up the leaderboard.
Both of Ferrari’s drivers have a point to prove next season, especially Calos Sainz who currently finds himself without a seat in 2025.
With speculation of a move to Sauber, ahead of Audi’s introduction to the sport in 2026. Carlos Sainz needs to prove that he is capable of being a lead driver. He will be hoping to build on last season’s positive performances. 2024 will be Frédéric Vasseur’s second season in charge of the Tifosi and his priorities will be to bridge the gap between Ferrari and Red Bull.
Gasly Vs Ocon
Embed from Getty ImagesAlpine failed to capitalise on a successful 2022 season and struggled throughout 2023 after being cut adrift from the top 5 constructor’s last season.
A season of turmoil in which Otmar Szafnauer was replaced as Team Principle following the Belgian Grand Prix, highlighted the rivalry between the two French drivers that Alpine employ. With a poor preseason testing, Alpine are not expected to end the run of poor form and now find themselves at the rear of the grid.
Both drivers won a singular podium each last season but finished 11th and 12th in the drivers’ championship with back-to-back double DNF’s in Silverstone and Hungary being particularly costly.
Esteban Ocon has a history of clashing with teammates, with Sergio Perez at Force India/Racing Point being the most noticeable and given the history of discontent with current teammate Pierre Gasly (stemming from junior karting) Alpine are one to watch for a potential implosion.
With both driver’s contracts expiring next season, and with potential race seats available for 2025, tension and pressure will be high at Alpine. This partnered with the likelihood of a midfield battle, could end in a fantastic spectacle for onlooking audiences to keep an eye on.
Image Credit: Deposit Photos