Official Predictions for the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix – By Joe Murphy
As the 2023 season kicks off, everybody is level in the standings for the first and only time this season. Some have nothing to lose whilst others have all the pressure in the world. Let’s take a brief glance at how this race could unfold.
Max to come up short…
He isn’t short of challengers behind. Both Ferrari drivers and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso are certainly contenders this weekend. The race pace of those cars is arguably better, especially when you consider tyre degradation. Charles is probably the most realistic shout, if his car is as reliable as his ability. And don’t discount Checo either, he has it all to prove after finishing behind the Ferrari man in last years final standings.
Mercedes nightmare…
As much as Verstappen could come under pressure front those behind, so could Mercedes. The car isn’t what we thought it was going to be like. The pace isn’t there and they are indeed the fourth fastest team at best at the moment. Staggering considering how races used to unfold back in as recently as 2021. A long afternoon for Lewis and George beckons, although a double points finish may not be enough to send the team to Saudi Arabia happy.
No like-y, no light-y, are we going to the Isle of Fernando?
The aforementioned Spaniard finds himself in a strange position. He is the most competitive, it seems, that he has been in over a decade. Expect the wiley driver to use his knowledge and experience to achieve a podium in the desert. The reliability of Ferrari has question marks surrounding it whilst Red Bull expect to have more degradation than the team in green. A great opportunity for a milestone result for a man in his 40’s.
Want you back, want you back, want you (Hulken)-back for good…
A promising start for the German in his new team. He would unquestionably take a points finish this weekend in his first competitive action in nearly 3 years. Teammate Magnussen won’t want to finish behind his new counterpart, particularly at a venue where he performed magnificently nearly a year ago to the day.
Lan-D’oh
His immense talent warrants a better car in truth. Lando Norris should be fighting at the front but instead you can expect the young Brit to instead be fighting for positions below the points. McLaren have taken a couple of rather large steps backwards since last year whilst others have inched forward. The days of competing with Alpine look gone. Instead, Alfa Romeo and Haas look like the new targets.
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