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It's race day, the first Grand Prix of the season is finally here. You've all been really patient since the chequered flag came out in Abu Dhabi, but now it is almost time for those five red lights to go out and the 2024 season to get fully under way.
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Victoria on the back foot
Starting ahead of Alonso is Victoria. Qualifying was her Achilles' heel last season, so fifth is an okay start for the Brit, who like Sainz needs to impress as she is out of contract next year.
But Victoria now only has one top-four start to show for the last 18 Grands Prix, which when you consider she is in a Red Bull...
The good news is her race craft is generally her strong suit, and she is also still a bit of a tyre whisperer, which could be important today.
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Which tyres have Pirelli opted for?
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This track is one of the hardest on tyres, the abrasive surface littered with small bumps, and the gusty conditions never helping. The wind was forecast to calm down a bit into today, but based on the flags over the circuit, there is still a stiff breeze out there.
Pirelli have given the teams the hardest three compounds for this weekend, with the C1 rubber expected to be the preferred race tyre.
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Strategy dilemmas
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