2024 Pre-Season Testing & Bold Predictions - Formula 1

24 hours of testing over a span of 3 days...ok maybe a few hours less than that (thanks to another drain cover stealing the spotlight). Do we have much of an indication on how the season is going to play out? Pretty much like last season....but wait! No, no, no, It will not be a Red Bull domination (seriously, we all know the Dutch National Anthem by now, we get it, and it's time to change the tune...). But how? Who? Who will be the DJ(s) for the new anthem(s) to ring out in the race fueled air????

Alright, time to hammer away (thanks for the visuals Kevin Magnussen) and get to my BOLD PREDICTIONS for 2024:

Leclerc Wins Monaco - The luck has to change for Charles when it comes to his home race, and this should be the year. He and Carlos both looked solid in testing. The car looked planted, smooth, and nimble (cept for drain covers which somehow are still attracted to Ferrari red) and they were in the top on lap times throughout testing. Charles is the emotional favorite going into Monaco, especially after several years of heartbreak, and I think Ferrari might just have the stars lining up this year for it to happen.

Lando Finally Wins - Always the bridesmaid, never the bride...well mostly true. While Mclaren has mired in mediocrity and inconsistency over the past few years, they finally started putting it together towards the end of the 2023 campaign. Seriously they were coming in hot as an outside, but suddenly in the conversation threat against the powerful Red Bulls. Though they had their own bit of troubles during testing, they were cool, calm and collected. I think the pairing of Piastri and Norris works well. It's two young guys pushing each other, and it should result in pushing Lando across the line first when the checkered flag waves sometime this season.

Danny Ric Top 10 - Not only do I think Danny Ricciardo will finish in the top 10 in the drivers championship this year, I think he has a solid chance to unseat Sergio at Red Bull when all the hullabaloo of mid and end of season signings are the talk of the paddock. His form in testing was the Danny of old, and if his focus continues towards razor sharp, Sergio could be seeing his walking papers.

It's Hammer Time - Hamilton wins, not just once either. Mercedes and Hamilton both want to go out on a high note. The car looked good in testing. Sure there were some changes made throughout (ie. a front suspension adjustment to keep the car from setting itself and the track on fire). And the pundits felt the car drove a bit erratic here and there, but honestly, that car looked like the Merc of old(er). Like the generation where Lewis was stacking trophies like they were pancakes. Point, aim, and shoot. He looks comfortable, and when he looks comfortable, that car looks fast.

Now if only they can find some straight line speed, then my prediction will come true!

'It was just lovely' - I think we will hear that phrase uttered from Max at 5 races this season. Not saying he is only going to win 5, I just think there will be at minimum, 5 races where he is off in the distance contemplating anything but the race itself, and that it's just another walk in the park for him. Lovely for you Max, not so much for us.

Testing is done, it's time to put it all out there. Let's go racing!