BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – FEBRUARY 21: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing walks in the Paddock during day one of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on February 21, 2024 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson | Getty Images)
As the 2024 Formula 1 season starts to come into view following the days of testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, the Bahrain Grand Prix, at the same circuit, is now the primary focus for F1 drivers and teams as the battle for the World Driver’s and Constructor’s Championships become the goal. However, before that begins, the offseason between the checkered flag waving at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the lights going out to start the season was nowhere close to quiet, so here’s a quick overview.
Lewis Hamilton announces shock switch to Ferrari
For years, one of the longest-running rumors in the Formula 1 paddock was that Lewis Hamilton had wanted to go to the iconic red colors of Scuderia Ferrari. However, nothing truly materialized, and the seven-time World Champion continued to get contract extensions at Mercedes, even as late as last season, solidifying his spot at Mercedes for at least the next two years.
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – NOVEMBER 23: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes talks to the media in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 23, 2023 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Peter Fox | Getty Images)
But the rumors finally became the truth, and on Feb. 1, it was announced that after the 2024 season, Hamilton would be going from where he had called home for almost his entire F1 career to Ferrari starting in 2025. The shock move also sends reverberations through the paddock as Hamilton replaces Carlos Sainz and opens up an incredibly tantalizing seat at Mercedes for 2025 onwards.
Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris solidify contracts for the foreseeable future
Ferrari’s big offseason started with the announcement that their talented young driver, Charles Leclerc, would be sticking with Ferrari through at least 2028, solidifying his commitment to the team that started him as their developmental driver years ago to now being a contender for Grand Prix wins and hopefully bringing home Ferrari’s first title since 2007. And now looking to be teamed up with Hamilton, Ferrari has one of the best line-ups for the upcoming future.
Charles Leclerc on the Bahrain International Circuit during Formula 1 2024 Winter Testing in the 2024 Ferrari SF-24 (Source: Scuderia Ferrari)
Furthermore, McLaren’s young star, Lando Norris, has also solidified a spot at McLaren for an unannounced amount of time. Norris and McLaren became one of Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen’s closest competitors in the latter part of 2023. That saw them go from the dumpster to podium competitor in less than half a season, setting themselves up for a competitive 2024.
Red Bull Racing announces investigation into team boss Christian Horner following allegations
Coming off their dominating 2023 season, Red Bull Racing was at the top of the world. However, that did not last long. On Feb. 5, it was announced that Red Bull would launch an investigation into team principal Christian Horner after a team employee brought up misconduct allegations. So far, the investigation is still ongoing, and there is little news about what is happening.
However, as this investigation is ongoing and not much information has come out, the future partner of Red Bull, Ford, has gotten worried and frustrated with the lack of news about the investigation. This culminated in a letter sent to Red Bull by Ford’s CEO Jim Farley lamenting the lack of transparency from the team.
Team name changes down the grid
Two lower teams on the grid have decided to enter 2024 with a fresh new name to turn the page in hopes of a better year. First up, AlphaTauri Honda RBPT announced another team name change, this time to Visa Cash App RB.
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – FEBRUARY 23: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia driving the (3) Visa Cash App RB VCARB 01 on track during day three of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on February 23, 2024 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Furthermore, with Alfa Romeo leaving Sauber at the end of 2023, it was announced that team sponsor Stake would take a more prominent part on the team, becoming part of the team name as Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber.
F1 Sprint format changes
Formula 1’s Sprint Weekends are making a change going into 2024 in making tweaks to perfect the system. Some changes made to the 2024 Sprint format include shifting the weekend calendar that sees Sprint Qualifying swap places with the Grand Prix qualifying and run after the lone-practice round while qualifying for the Grand Prix occurs after the Sprint Race on Saturday.
The weekends that would see the Sprint format were also solidified as the weekends of the Chinese, Miami, Austrian, United States, Sao Paulo, and Qatar Grand Prix include the Sprint Race.
F1 Calendar shapes up for the future
A handful of locations staked their claim for their future on the calendar or made their mark to be added to the schedule in the future during the offseason. Two stalwarts of the calendar, Silverstone and Suzuka, announced long-term deals to the calendar for the future of F1, while the Spanish Grand Prix was revealed to be moving from Barcelona to the streets of Madrid.
Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 09, 2023 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Haas F1 moves on from Guenther Steiner
One of the hit Netflix show stars on Drive to Survive, Guenther Steiner, will no longer be with Haas F1 as he was sacked following tumultuous times for the American team. A handful of years sitting at the bottom half of the order, showing almost zero improvement, meant that Gene Haas was looking for change. Taking Steiner’s place is the former director of engineering, Ayao Komatsu.
Formula 1 rejects Andretti and Cadillac’s bid for F1 grid slot
As F1 continues to try to get a more significant foothold in the American market, American motorsports powerhouse Andretti Autosport and Cadillac were hoping to enter the F1 grid as a new team by 2026, just about meeting every benchmark that was given to them to prove they should be a new team. However, as January was coming to a close, it was announced that F1 would reject Andretti’s bid, believing that the American outfit “would not on its own add value” and “not believe the applicant would be a competitive participant.” Both statements are a brutal blow to an exciting opportunity to grow the American market.
Colton Herta soaks in a hard-fought GMR Grand Prix victory with his Andretti Autosport team. (Photo: Joe Skibinski | Penske Entertainment)
While not completely shutting the door for Andretti, saying they would welcome them in 2028 at the earliest, it does bring into question the seriousness of F1 as they look to entrench themselves in America while also denying a grid slot for a team based in America with a storied history across the world in motorsports while powered by a well-known American manufacturer.
Now onto 2024
A lot happened in the offseason, but now the Bahrain Grand Prix is coming up as one of the 2024 Formula 1 season now takes center stage.
