Qualifying Analysis | Top speeds, downforce and quickest sector times

For the first time in Formula 2023, the teams and drivers took off all the shackles and went as fast as possible during qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix. Despite some hype and anticipation that turned into some kind of expectation by some, Fernando Alonso wasn't able to mix it directly with Red Bull but still managed a respectable P5 on the grid. Where do all teams stand when GPblog takes a look at the data? 

Top speeds

It's remarkable that Mercedes are the slowest-powered Mercedes car when it comes to top speed. With Williams and McLaren towards the top of the list, it shows their power unit can mix it with the best on the grid. But the Mercedes car towards the bottom just highlights how much drag they have with their aerodynamic package. It was one of their big areas for improvement over the winter and that doesn't seem to have happened. 

Though it seems like Aston Martin are plagued with the same problems. They are also 6km/h slower than Ferrari and 4km/h behind Red Bull. That will be the difference between pole position and 5th place on the grid. Red Bull, like last year, are still exceptional on the straights but Ferrari have improved. 

Fastest sectors 

In Sakhir, the first and third sectors are virtually mirror images of each other.  These two sectors will really test the straight-line performance of the cars. The first and third sectors will also test the balance under heavy braking. The run down to turn one is something to look out for. 

With four significantly long straights, there's a serious power focus at this circuit. This is shown in the recent results. Red Bull haven't won at the circuit since 2013, with Mercedes and Ferrari taking the spoils. Red Bull have traditionally struggled in the engine department. Engine development is frozen, but teams have been able to make reliability changes.

The middle sector is completely different. Sector two in Bahrain is much more twisty and has a range of slow-medium speed corners. It’s the technical part of the track. Cars that record the quickest sector times here perhaps have more downforce. Acing all three sectors shows a good package and that's exactly what the Dutchman did. Red Bull seems to have improved in their (few) weaker areas to better their overall package.

It's also noteworthy just how close Perez was to Verstappen throughout the lap. Almost equal in sector one and sector two, then less than a tenth behind in sector three. That's really bad news for Ferrari because Perez being further behind Verstappen last year was probably their biggest weakness.

Downforce and cornering

When putting the fastest qualifying laps from Verstappen, Leclerc, and Alonso onto the same track map, we can see the strongest areas of the circuit for all three cars. As expected from the top speed chart, Ferrari dominate the straights which could play into their hands next weekend at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. 

With Alonso in 5th place, he doesn't feature much on the track map but there's one key consistent area. The Aston Martin is faster in most of the slow corners. This shows that Alonso's braking and mechanical grip are extremely strong. It also shows brilliant skill from the driver in some of the most technical parts. In addition to this, Verstappen is often seen strongest after the corners. It seems as though he is able to get the power down quicker due to higher downforce. It's impressive that the Red Bull have this high downforce capability and still be strong on the straights. 

One final interesting data mark: Leclerc opens his DRS around 40 metres later than Verstappen and Alonso in the second DRS zone. It doesn't make up the three-tenths difference between him and Verstappen, but every little helps in this game.