Ricciardo’s Bahrain GP Rollercoaster: F1 Season Kickoff, Concerns Over 24-Race Calendar

Daniel Ricciardo started the new Formula 1 season with a bang, topping the timesheets in the initial practice session at the Bahrain GP. The Australian, a seasoned eight-time Grand Prix victor, showcased impressive speed, narrowly edging out former teammate Lando Norris and fellow Aussie Oscar Piastri in the first free practice. Even his current Red Bull Racing teammate Yuki Tsunoda trailed closely behind in the fourth.

However, as the day turned into the night for the second session, the dynamics shifted. Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, alongside his Mercedes teammate George Russell, surged to the forefront, relegating Ricciardo to a modest 12th position.

Despite the setback, Ricciardo remained upbeat, acknowledging the challenges posed by the changing track conditions. Reflecting on his first full season since his departure from McLaren in 2022, he remained optimistic, citing areas for improvement and expressing a desire to break into the top 10.

Surprisingly, the reigning champions, Red Bull, appeared off the pace with Max Verstappen securing sixth and Sergio Pérez settling for 10th in the second practice session. Speculation arose regarding whether they were deliberately pacing themselves for the demanding season ahead, which boasts a record 24 race weekends.

Verstappen, echoing sentiments shared by Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, voiced concerns over the grueling schedule, suggesting it could lead to drivers shortening their careers due to the excessive workload. Alonso, with his vast experience spanning 377 race starts, highlighted the stark contrast from when he started his career with just 16 races.

The expansion of the calendar, driven by Liberty Media’s strategy to include races in sought-after destinations like Las Vegas, Miami, Jeddah, and Madrid, has raised questions about sustainability. Pérez expressed worries about the toll it takes on team members, referring to the fatigue observed during the final races of the previous season.

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Melbourne for the third race, with concerns lingering about the environmental impact and the strain on both drivers and team personnel amid the record-breaking schedule.