Youth group wants to shake up the hierarchy

What a job: constantly pushing yourself to the limit, knowing that there is also a fine line between life and death. A balancing act with 1000 hp and beyond 300 km/h. Mick Schumacher, the son of Formula 1 record world champion Michael Schumacher, sees it as a kind of “playground”.

Having accelerated fun is a dream for more and more young people, the premier class of motorsport is booming, especially in an age group that is commonly attributed to Greta, a new reason and changed mobility. The popularity among spectators is matched by a whole new generation of racers.

There are four racing drivers in particular that the fans are attracted to and who want to bring about a power and generation change in Formula 1 starting with the season opener on Sunday at the Bahrain Grand Prix: the defending champion Max Verstappen (24) in the Red Bull Honda, Mercedes climber George Russell (24), Lando Norris (22) in the McLaren and Ferrari hope Charles Leclerc (24).

For comparison: The other drivers in the field with world titles belong to a completely different age group – Lewis Hamilton (37), Sebastian Vettel (34) and Fernando Alonso (40). A kind of sporty pusher column forms. The multitude of hopeful talents, which can also be seen in midfield in the person of Esteban Ocon (25) at Alpine, Pierre Gasly (26) and Yuki Tsunoda (21) at Toro Rosso, heralds a change that has rarely happened before . Normally only one driver inherits the legacy of a champion, this time there is a whole host of candidates on the horizon.

That changes the dynamics in Formula 1. The driving styles may not differ that much, but the general perspectives and self-awareness do. There is a kind of rock star feeling that surrounds the youth group from the pit lane. And the fans are hungry for young faces. The world champions of tomorrow have the security of not having to fight for their regular place every year. Max Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until 2028, Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc and George Russell are set for three years. This planning security for and with the talents is unusual. With this, the racing teams want to stake out who should shape Formula 1 in the future.

This season, Grand Prix racing is not only facing a new technical era for the vehicles, the renewal also affects the drivers. Instinctive athletes who have been prepared for the profession of professional chauffeur since early childhood. For whom fitness is an addiction, who surround themselves with complicated electronics in their free time and in the cockpit, but who have retained a great deal of ease despite all their courage and professionalism. They switch from ambition to relaxation in a flash. Here are the vain posers, with their girlfriends from the modeling business in their arms, and there the rather clumsy private people. The young men, who were encouraged to be extremely mature and responsible from an early age, also play with opposites in life off the race track.

George Russell, who as a Mercedes junior was specifically set up to succeed Lewis Hamilton, is ready to go after years with the Williams backbench team: “I can’t wait, neither in the restaurant for food nor for my first win.” Two years ago, as a replacement for Hamilton, who was suffering from Covid, he was very close in Bahrain until a flat tire stopped him. It was early confirmation that the Brit is a specialist in difficult conditions – much like champion Max Verstappen.

The Dutchman is therefore relaxed about Hamilton’s revenge thoughts after the scandal at the final last December: “The pressure is off my shoulders. But the motivation is the same and even higher because I want to keep winning.” Verstappen says he is not prone to complacency anyway: “I wasn’t brought up that way, my father made sure of that.” As a pioneer, he wants a whole generation to go hunting: “We need more drivers who can fight for victory.”

The pitfalls of the new technology can also shake up the hierarchy. With the so-called ground effect cars, a different style is required of all pilots. The long-established ones lack a certain flexibility to break out of the routine they have grown fond of. The climbers are used to change, in almost every junior class they were forced from year to year to quickly adapt to new conditions. As with the virtual races on their game consoles, they are almost addicted to a new kick.

It will be an exciting battle for power relations. A seven-time champion like Lewis Hamilton might be easy to corner, but beating him consistently is another thing. The Briton greets his new neighbor George Russell with the words: “New blood is good, it gives me new energy.” A friendly packaged declaration of war. The changing of the guard hasn’t happened yet, but it’s in the offing.

Bahrain Grand Prix. starting grid: 1 Charles Leclerc (MON), Ferrari, 1:30.558 (215.146 km/h). 2 Max Verstappen (NED), Red Bull-Honda, 0.123 behind. 3 Carlos Sainz (ESP), Ferrari, 0.129. 4 Sergio Perez (MEX), Red Bull-Honda, 0.363. 5 Lewis Hamilton (GBR), Mercedes, 0.680. 6 Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Alfa Romeo Ferrari, 1.002. 7 Kevin Magnussen (DEN), Haas-Ferrari, 1,250. 8 Fernando Alonso (ESP), Alpine Renault, 1.637. 9 George Russell (GBR), Mercedes, 1,658. 10 Pierre Gasly (FRA), AlphaTauri-Honda, 1.780. – Retired after the second part of qualifying: 11 Esteban Ocon (FRA), Alpine-Renault. 12 Mick Schumacher (GER), Haas Ferrari. 13 Lando Norris (GBR), McLaren Mercedes. 14 Alexander Albon (THA), Williams Mercedes. 15 Zhou Guanyu (CHN), Alfa Romeo Ferrari. – Retired after the first part of qualifying: 16 Yuki Tsunoda (JPN), AlphaTauri-Honda. 17 Nico Hulkenberg (GER), Aston Martin-Mercedes. 18 Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), McLaren Mercedes. 19 Lance Stroll (CAN), Aston Martin Mercedes. 20 Nicholas Latifi (CAN), Williams Mercedes. – 20 drivers in qualifying. – Best time of the day: Leclerc in the third part.