In the Bahrain desert, the Formula 1 teams will find out from Thursday how well they worked during the break - and what they still have to do. Especially in focus: the weight of the cars. In order to save as much as possible, paint is even dispensed with in some cases.
Nico Hülkenberg is still busy lifting dumbbells, Lewis Hamilton is already racing across the track in his mind and world champion Max Verstappen can hardly wait - the test drives in Bahrain will be the start of the first major showdown of the new Formula 1 season. From Thursday, Verstappen and Co. have three days in the desert to get in shape for the first race next week.
"I'm looking forward to getting started in Bahrain," said Hamilton on behalf of all 20 drivers and posted a picture from the driver's perspective of the Bahrain International Circuit on Instagram. Nobody knows where he really stands yet. Most recently, the teams presented their new cars and more or less revealed that the truth is now on the track in Bahrain, where the first points and trophies will be awarded on March 5th. And a trend is already emerging: the cars have to "slim down", many teams prescribed a paint diet.
"We were overweight all last year, that was a problem," said Hamilton, whose new W14, like in 2020 and 2021, is not a silver arrow. "That's why we're now seeing a lot of black carbon and only the bare minimum of paint," said the Brit. In the fight for his eighth world title, every gram counts: "It's about performance, not about looks."
Almost all teams have a problem with achieving the minimum weight of 798 kilograms - that's why savings are even made on the paintwork. Even on the Ferrari there are many black spots to finally face the world champion again after 16 years. "Anything less than victory would be a disappointment," said new team boss Fred Vasseur. And Vice World Champion Charles Leclerc said: "We have now addressed the weaknesses of the car and we want the title."
But of course the only way to the throne is via Verstappen and Red Bull - despite the wind tunnel restrictions for the budget violation from the 2021 season, the shower racing team is again aiming for the titles in the driver and constructor championships. "We are very optimistic. Of course we want to defend the title," said Verstappen, who could win the World Cup triple.
For Hülkenberg, after three years of abstinence the only German regular driver in the field, the Haas will probably only be about points. The successor to Mick Schumacher, now a substitute driver at Mercedes, can hardly wait. "It's ready to go," said the 35-year-old only on Instagram and continued to work in the weight room.
