Max Verstappen has won each of the last three world championships and is the clear favourite to scoop a fourth in 2024.
The Formula 1 season begins with the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend and all the early signs point to another Verstappen victory.
The Red Bull was impressive in testing last week, with Verstappen and Sergio Perez recording the fastest lap times on days one and two respectively.
Little chance for the chasing pack
Red Bull will be confident of a good start to the season and Verstappen has been handed a statistical 80.1 per cent chance of winning the race by Action Network’s SuperComputer.
He has been given an overall 94.8 per cent chance of a podium finish, a 0.2 per cent chance of finishing fourt and a five per cent chance of not finishing the race.
Verstappen’s teammate Perez has been given the second-highest chance of winning the race but has only been given a four per cent chance of doing so.
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Action Network says its SuperComputer works by factoring in historical data, track conditions, car performance and driver capabilities. By factoring these in, the team of analysts then draw up a code which can accurately simulate races, which are then run 1,000 times to provide as much accuracy as possible.
🚨 | Max Verstappen goes even FASTER.1:31.3441.140 faster than P2. pic.twitter.com/vYGOyGIhEW
— formularacers (@formularacers_) February 21, 2024
A spokesperson for ActionNetwork said: “The worrying trend of Max Verstappen and Red Bull dominance looks set to continue in Bahrain, with our data analysts predicting a one-sided race.
“Efforts have been made by Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, and the sport’s management to address these concerns and make the racing more competitive and entertaining. Changes to technical regulations, such as the introduction of hybrid power units, adjustments to aerodynamics, and tweaks to sporting regulations, have aimed to level the playing field and encourage closer competition.
“However, Verstappen’s vice-like grip atop the Championship table is likely to be restored this weekend and it is up to the rest of the chasing pack to find a way to break this. Until they do, expect to see plenty more dominant displays from the Belgian.”
