2023 - Race 1 Bahrain

[Nitrodaze]

Data presents a different picture. If you look at the Bahrain gap times between the Top 10 qualifying, you see that things have gotten tighter.

Here are results for Q3 Gap times from pole position.

2021 (2023)
2. - 0.4 sec (0.1 sec)
3. - 0.6 sec (0.3 sec)
4. - 0.7 sec (0.4 sec)
5. - 0.8 sec (0.6 sec)
6. - 0.9 sec (0.6 sec)
7. - 1.0 sec (0.7 sec)
8. - 1.2 sec (1.1 sec)
9. - 1.3 sec (1.3 (sec)

That works out about 24% improvement in gap times for all of Q3. Position 1-6 gap times were improved by 37%.

If you look at Q1, there is very significant improvement in position 11 thru 20. In 2021, these positions average 1.5 seconds behind the No. 1 position. In 2023, they average dropped to 0.8 seconds behind. Number 20th, went from 2.2 seconds behind to 1.2 seconds behind.

Anecdotally, I also think there is closer racing (based on 2022 results), but it was more seen in the mid-field than in the front of the grid. This was because it looks like RBR nailed it, while Ferrari was close, but their reliability, strategy, and tire wear held them back. Mercedes screwed their design up (and still have not figured it out).

Unfortunately, you are comparing 2021 times with 2023 times, of course, you would see massive improvements. Besides, it is race times that really matter here. And Verstappen would rocket off from the lines leaving the Ferraris to battle with Alonso in the Aston. I predict that the race winner would be at least 30 seconds ahead at the end of the race which would essentially prove my point.