Be careful to restart the machines.
A little less than two months after the start of the 2023 Formula 1 season, the drivers were able to benefit from a one-month break after only three contested Grand Prix (Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Australia).
Under the Baku sun, the cards will be redistributed for what looks like a new start to the season.
To discover
Formula 1: the calendar of the season
Formula 1: manufacturers' classification
Formula 1: drivers classification
The first lessons of this Formula 1 season are clear.
We left in 2023 as we ended 2022, with a clear domination of Red Bull.
The difference is that a certain Fernando Alonso (double world champion in 2005 and 2006) at the wheel of his Aston Martin is playing spoilsport in the middle of Mercedes and Ferrari, in difficulty for the moment.
But after a very long exceptional break so early in the season, due to the cancellation of the Chinese Grand Prix (initially scheduled for April 16), "the truth
of today is not necessarily that of tomorrow
".
Read alsoFormula 1: program, route, prize list ... Everything you need to know about the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
What can we expect after such a break?
It must be said that in one month, the teams have had time to learn the lessons of the start of the season, either to react or to confirm.
It is necessary to understand the phenomena of each circuit disputed to find the best adaptation on an urban circuit of Baku, long with large straight lines where the heat and the wind will mingle with the party.
A face quite similar to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix where Sergio Perez (Red Bull) won ahead of his teammate leader in the general classification Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) who brought up the rear.
We can expect to see a change of mind among some, including Alpine, after the accident in Melbourne between the two drivers, Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon.
As we know, Alpine will make modifications, it remains to be seen whether they will be successful.
The French team points after three grand prix to 6th place in the manufacturer's ranking, when among the drivers Ocon is 12th and Gasly 14th.
But the changes have a cost and we should not expect to see any upheaval in the rankings, whether for Alpine or for others.
It will obviously be necessary to be much more regular in the improvements because to put all the chances in the battle on a race, can jeopardize the continuation.
What also changes is the new format.
This season, qualifying which was on Saturday takes place on Friday, a few minutes after free practice.
Which changes little for the spectators per se, but a lot for the engineers.
There is now only one free practice session, so only one test and little room for manoeuvre.
Many engineers have admitted that this situation stresses them out.
Read alsoFormula 1: the FIA adopts a new format for sprint weekends
Ferrari, still so many uncertainties
“
Working as a team
”.
This is the problem according to Frédéric Vasseur.
It's not a question of performance but of teamwork according to him.
A particular analysis made by the director of the Scuderia when the performances cannot be encouraging.
Fourth in the constructors' standings, Ferrari only managed to place Carlos Sainz in 5th place while Leclerc was 10th.
It is true that the Italian team must find new automatisms and start again on a positive dynamic.
But the traumas of the past season are still there and sometimes Vasseur gives the impression of not deciding and bringing his paw in the middle of a group that needs change.
If last year Ferraris were said to be very dangerous in qualifying, this year the trend does not seem to continue.
In Melbourne, Leclerc and Sainz started from 6th and 7th place.
Red Bull, the machine difficult to disrupt
For Red Bull it will be a question of confirming, even if the reliability may be questionable, after numerous retirements and in particular in qualifying.
However, it is not easy to cast doubt on these Red Bulls, who have benefited from a long break to try to solve the gearbox problems that Max Verstappen sometimes encounters at the start of the season.
And given the team that works for Red Bull, these modifications may well have been made.
On the other hand, with Max Verstappen who seems to have matured and seems sure of himself, such a break could break a rhythm well established by the Austrian team.
Even if with his impressive top speed, we think it's a track made for him.
When we see him evolve, without panicking with a good construction in terms of his races, we say to ourselves that the one-month stoppage is ultimately only a way for him to step back to jump better.
