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Formula 1 is back
Over the weekend, Formula 1 returned for its 2022 season. The Sakhir circuit in Bahrain was the site for the much anticipated start. Team principals, engineers, drivers and fans were all ready for the beginning of a new era. With the ending we saw in Abu Dhabi last year, fans couldn’t wait to see how the new F1 rule tweaks will be implemented. More importantly, many, like myself, were excited about the potential wheel-to-wheel racing that has been the buzz around the new cars. Indeed, true to the hype, Bahrain GP did not disappoint.
Friday practice sessions
The weekend started with first and second practice sessions in the morning and evening respectively, on Friday. Ferrari and Red Bull looked consistent in keeping with testing sessions a week earlier. Of the three top contenders for driver’s or constructor’s titles, Ferrari looked the strongest and Mercedes seemed out of sorts. Regardless, like in previous years, experts still predicted a quick bounce-back for Mercedes at qualification.
Qualification on Saturday
On Saturday morning, various teams brought out their cars for the third practice session. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen lead the pack while Ferrari’s Leclerc and Sainz followed. Mercedes’ drivers were still behind the aforementioned two and were joined by Ferrari-engine-powered Alfa Romeo and Haas. Indeed, it looks like the Haas team has finally caught a break and may be raking in points this season. Steiner (Haas team principal) would be very pleased for such turnaround in fortunes.
In the evening, the Sakhir circuit was lit as qualification begun under the lights. One-by-one, 20 drivers from the 10 teams completed their flying laps. While McLaren and other Mercedes-engine-powered teams struggled to make top 15, it was quite interesting to see Haas and Alfa Romeo join the top 10. With Mercedes struggling to recover from their issues, George Russell was set to start at P9 and Hamilton at P5. Verstappen came in at P2, unable to beat Leclerc who gained pole position.
A rejuvenated Ferrari
Ferrari’s consistency over practice and qualification was beautiful to behold. As the 2021 season did not go their way at all, it was fun to watch their comeback this season with such commanding performances. Their efforts appear to be paying dividends already. By the time qualification was over, Ferrari’s dominance had garnered so much praise. Yes, race day could go either way but no one would bet against Ferrari to win the Bahrain GP.
The lights go out
True to form, as the lights went out, from the back to front, places were gained and lost. But, Leclerc kept ahead of the pack with Verstappen, Sainz and Hamilton behind. The tires proved difficult to manage for all teams as drivers had to make about 3 pitstops. Regardless, Ferrari’s Leclerc kept his P1 spot for much of the race.
Leclerc versus Verstappen
Verstappen mounted a challenge against Leclerc in the final laps but was unsuccessful as Leclerc fought him off at turn 4 to reclaim top spot. He tried again to put Red Bull in P1 but a lockup saw him fail, keeping him in P2. Leclerc made some gains at the front but all was lost when a safety car was deployed after Gasly’s Alpha Tauri caught on fire.
The final laps
There was more drama towards the end as the safety car returned to the pitlane. Sainz, on the hunt for P2, put pressure on Verstappen. Max tried to stay ahead but finally gave up when car trouble forced him to retire. With P3 in sight, for the final lap, Hamilton forced Red Bull’s Perez to give up P3 as he lost power. Just like that, the 2 Red Bulls were out of the race. Leclerc finished P1 to give Ferrari a one-two win while Hamilton came in at P3.
Ferrari on top
The Bahrain GP, first race of the year, is over now. Leclerc and Ferrari currently sit atop the driver’s and constructor’s leaderboards respectively. Mercedes, luckily, comes in second in the constructor’s championship after a damage-limitation display. Haas sits third to everyone’s amazement as Red Bull is nowhere near the top, for now.
Next race schedule
The next race is scheduled for this weekend between March 25-27, 2022. Of course, the race day is March 27 (Sunday) at 10.00AM PST (5.00PM GMT). It will be held at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Saudi Arabia. Looking forward to more drama and excitement.