All hail Max Verstappen, the 2024 Formula 1 World Champion, but who would have guessed that the stories behind him would start to unfold as early as Bahrain? As Martin Brundle put it, there’s a “story in every seat.”

Verstappen led Red Bull to a 1-2 finish in the Bahrain Grand Prix, which he won in a decisive manner. His winning margin increased from 12 to 22 seconds from 2023 to this year.

Dreams for 2025 cast a greater significance on teammate conflicts.

It’s only the first race of the season, so a lot can still happen, according to fans, commentators, and the barfly three seats down, but the only “lot” on the horizon is the amount of victories for Verstappen.

But everything is not lost.

Fighting on the teammates

Brundle said on the eve of the championship that “there really is a story in every seat on the grid” and that “those drivers who don’t have a fixed contract for 2025 will realise there is a lot of threat and a lot of opportunity going forward.”

Sergio Perez may still be able to take the 2025 Red Bull Racing race seat, which presents an opportunity for Yuki Tsunoda. Daniel Ricciardo poses a threat.

New name, new problem

Strangely, he nearly collided with Ricciardo during the Grand Prix’s cooldown lap—yes, you read that right—just 72 hours after telling the Bahraini media, including PlanetF1.com, that Ricciardo was his “team-mate” and not his rival, adding that “Formula 1, this is our life [but we have] to be team-mates.”

Tsunoda reacted angrily, irrationally, or immaturely to RB’s order to award Ricciardo 13th place after the Grand Prix, challenging his teammate for the spot.

He sped past Ricciardo to the Turn 8 hairpin, where he locked up and went wide. Then, he retraced his steps and nearly ran into Ricciardo.

And the reason for that spectacular exhibition was a competition between 13th and 14th place! Can you see the consequences if and when points are involved? Unfortunately for Tsunoda, his outbursts at the Sakhir circuit might already be counting against him with his Red Bull superiors.

Ferrari on heat

Not only did RB become heated on Saturday, but at Ferrari, a major drama was also being written. However, nobody anticipated that it would begin as early as the first round.

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are involved in one of the most fascinating rivalries of the season. Leclerc recently signed a new contract with Ferrari, while Sainz was informed in January that his contract would not be renewed because Lewis Hamilton had been signed by the team instead. Damon Hill put it diplomatically.

While Sainz wants to establish that the Scuderia kept the wrong driver and is auditioning for a 2025 race seat, Leclerc needs to prove to the world that Ferrari made the correct decision and solidify his place as the team’s top driver before he teams up with a seven-time World Champion. That was flawless from Saturday.

Sainz passed Leclerc on lap 11 in a move that may have been a little too close for comfort for the Ferrari pit wall, although he did it without the team’s orders.

He said, “It never felt close inside the car,” but he acknowledged that he was enjoying his “aggressive, attacking race” and that he had an “overtaking, attacking race.”

After falling behind Leclerc during the pit stops, he was forced to restart the race six laps later. This time, the Monégasque driver fought back, but a few turns later, he lost the battle. Sainz won 2-0.

Sainz was supported by Ferrari team manager Fred Vasseur, who said that his driver was “not unprofessional” and that he was “happy” with the way the driver performed.

More importantly, and this is a major one for Sainz, Toto Wolff, the head of Mercedes Motorsport and a possible job in 2025, took note of his performances.
He praised Carlos for “a very strong performance,” according to grandpx.news. “It’s likely that he’s still driving around a little angry.”

Leclerc had better watch out since he will have an attacking, and occasionally “aggressive,” teammate who has already laid down his marker as the resentment and the auditions heat up.

However, following a grand prix in which the remaining teammates were either geographically apart or had 2025 contracts already signed, with Alpine excluded because there was nothing to contend with there, it is nearly a given that there will be some sort of conflict between teammates at every race this season as they deal with those risks and opportunities.

Only the opening rounds were fired by Ferrari and RB.