The 2024 Bahrain GP had 36 Overtakes. This total is very similar to last year’s race which had 37 overtakes. This is comfortably below the circuit average of 52. In a somewhat unremarkable race Alonso being overtaken 8 times was the only stat of significance.

As it’s a new season a quick recap on how this data is put together:

Only on track passes for position count (Positions gained due to cars pitting/ off track or spun/ major reliability issues do not count)

Likewise lapping and unlapping do not count as overtakes

Overtakes on Lap 1 do not count (See FAQ’s section for a detailed explanation)

Remember Overtaking data is just interesting data. It largely tells you how easy overtaking is in a given race not how entertaining the race is. Generally races with more overtaking are more entertaining but this is definitely not a rule. Baku 2016 had 80 overtakes and was a very dull race, Japan 2005 had 15 overtakes and was one of the best races ever.

2024 Bahrain GP Overtakes

• Lap 2 Sargeant overtook Ricciardo for P 14
• Lap 3 Russell overtook Leclerc for P 2
• Lap 3 Norris overtook Alonso for P 6
• Lap 5 Piastri overtook Alonso for P 7
• Lap 5 Stroll overtook Bottas for P 18
• Lap 7 Perez overtook Leclerc for P 3
• Lap 8 Zhou overtook Magnussen for P 12
• Lap 8 Magnussen overtook Zhou for P 12
• Lap 10 Hamilton overtook Alonso for P 9
• Lap 11 Sainz overtook Leclerc for P 4
• Lap 12 Leclerc overtook Bottas for P 13
• Lap 13 Russell overtook Ricciardo for P 7
• Lap 14 Perez overtook Russell for P 6
• Lap 14 Bottas overtook Gasly for P 18
• Lap 16 Ocon overtook Albon for P 14
• Lap 17 Sainz overtook Leclerc for P 4
• Lap 17 Alonso overtook Zhou for P 9
• Lap 17 Tsunoda overtook Stroll for P 11
• Lap 17 Albon overtook Ocon for P 14
• Lap 18 Sainz overtook Russell for P 3
• Lap 21 Ricciardo overtook Ocon for P 15
• Lap 33 Stroll overtook Zhou for P 13
• Lap 34 Russell overtook Alonso for P 6
• Lap 35 Piastri overtook Hamilton for P 8
• Lap 35 Hamilton overtook Piastri for P 8
• Lap 36 Leclerc overtook Alonso for P 5
• Lap 36 Norris overtook Alonso for P 6
• Lap 36 Magnussen overtook Tsunoda for P 14
• Lap 37 Ricciardo overtook Albon for P 15
• Lap 38 Tsunoda overtook Hulkenberg for P 13
• Lap 39 Hamilton overtook Alonso for P 8
• Lap 40 Piastri overtook Alonso for P 8
• Lap 44 Alonso overtook Zhou for P 10
• Lap 46 Leclerc overtook Russell for P 4
• Lap 48 Alonso overtook Stroll for P 9
• Lap 50 Hulkenberg overtook Ocon for P 16

Some Stats

• All driver’s except Gasly and Verstappen did at least one overtake. No driver did more than three overtakes.
• Alonso was the most overtaken driver being passed on 8 occasions.
• 20 Overtakes were at Turn 1. 9 Overtakes were at Turn 4. 4 at Turn 11 and 3 at Turn 14.

Quick Analysis

This race had a big feeling of Deja Vu from both last year’s race and the 2023 season in general with Verstappen/Red Bull being so comfortable. Every team went for a two stop strategy with little variance in how they went about it, only Alonso and Hulkenberg had slightly different strategies. This meant there was very little convergence on track between drivers on different strategies which reduced overtaking. It was a shame no one had a proper go at a one stop but most seemed happy to accept the position they were in rather than take any risk. With victory being such a foregone conclusion for the foreseeable future we really need the midfield to be a bit more interesting.

Site Update

This year could well be challenging for me to do this every weekend. I’ve been a crazy F1 fan for the last 20 years but knowing it’s practically a foregone conclusion that Verstappen will win every race is really sapping my motivation to do this project. To give a perspective on what work goes into doing this each race: Watching the race itself – 1 and a half hours. Creating an initial dataset using lap charts and pit stop data (half an hour). Watching the race again pausing to add/remove data and note corner and broadcast data – 1 and a half hours (I’d usually watch at double speed but regular pausing slows it down). Then checking onboards on F1TV to clarify questionable overtakes and check for turn data for those not on the broadcast – an Hour (but varies a lot depending on the race). Then putting the data together and getting the posts written out and all data updated – an Hour and a half. So I’m effectively making a six hour commitment each weekend to do this. I’ll do the next few races and see how things go but I don’t think it’s likely I’ll keep doing this if we get to Europe and Verstappen has won every race comfortably.

Please see the rules and FAQ’s sections for more info on how this data is put together.