*The following article was written the week following the Bahrain GP for a print edition*
The Formula One 2022 season-opener in Bahrain produced an interesting race result after promising new technical regulations were put into place that scrambled the typical pecking order of the grid and brought to light potential new champions.
After a late safety car, last lap controversies, and Red Bull drama in the desert, the Bahrain Grand Prix seemed all-too familiar. But thankfully, it was not Abu Dhabi back for more.
With high anticipation surrounding the first race after new technical regulations having been introduced that aim for closer racing, Bahrain did not disappoint. From Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc’s battle with reigning world champion Max Verstappen to Kevin Magnussen securing P5 for the Haas F1 team, the season-opener lived up to expectations.
In particular, Ferrari shone in Bahrain this year by securing their first one-two since the Singapore Grand Prix in 2019 – which, in turn, was also their last Grand Prix win overall. Despite such tough luck in previous years, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were the pacesetters in Bahrain, with defending constructors’ champions Mercedes even unable to keep up.
Known for their history of downplaying their chances during testing before the start of a new season, it appears this time Mercedes weren’t kidding. The seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton qualified fifth while George Russell was even lower in ninth place. If it had not been for the retirement of both Red Bull’s during the race, both Mercedes drivers may have had to face finishing in similar positions to their disappointing qualifying results.
Red Bull also struggled to battle the Ferrari’s, with both Verstappen and Perez forced to retire due to fuel and engine system problems. Verstappen was clearly unhappy, “Problems can happen, and you might retire but at this level it shouldn’t happen,” he stated. It is clear that the champions drive to remain on top has not dwindled and this was just the start of another intense year from the Dutchman.
On the other hand, Kevin Magnussen and Haas celebrated in Bahrain after his P5 finish. With the teams point-less finish after the 2021 season with two rookie drivers, it appears Magnussen is exactly the familiar face the team needed, giving the team their new best finish since 2018. When Haas team principal Gunther Steiner was asked if the team could replicate a similar result again to show Haas now understood their car, Steiner cheerfully responded “I don’t want to understand, I want to live the dream!”
Looking ahead, it will be interesting to further see each team adjust to this new style of car and racing. It looks as though a three-team title battle could be on the cards.
