Formula 1 has started a new era at the Bahrain GP and the fruits of the radical change have emerged since the start of a season that is as exciting and spectacular as the previous one. The battle between Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen It was epic, with the Monegasque dominating from start to finish, without the slightest mistake, to achieve victory in the first race of the year, the third of his sports career. Leclerc He has achieved a great victory for Ferrari with a final not worthy for the faint of heart, in which Red Bull has lost its two drivers and Carlos Sainz has joined the Scuderia party with a magnificent second place.
The spectacular fight between Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen He kept us on our toes for the 57 laps, but with two to go a fault in the Red Bull’s electrical system forced the Dutchman to retire. This championship was much more open, competitive and even, and in the first round all the forecasts were fulfilled. The Ferrari driver, who scored the tenth pole position of his career on Saturday, has led the race since the traffic lights went out and has maintained his position despite attacks from his rival.
The appearance of a safety car 12 laps from the end due to the fire of the car of Pierre Gasley has opened a world of possibilities and has put against the ropes Leclerc when he dominated the race with authority. The Monegasque controlled the situation well, while it was disastrous for the two Red Bulls. Verstappen had to retire due to an electrical failure two laps from the end and Pérez also missed the podium on the last lap due to a mechanical failure. Carlos Sainz, who has always been in the podium positions, has completed the double for Ferrari.
THE YEAR OF VENDETTALewis Hamilton, after the eventful end of Abu Dhabi, where he lost the possibility of adding the eighth title, a season begins in which his purpose is to recover the scepter and become the most successful driver in history. With Max Verstappen, who made his debut as champion, there are pending accounts, but this time when it comes to settling them, other factors may come into play, such as the potential of a Ferrari that was the great surprise of the first race.
Red Bull and Ferrari have shown that they are one step ahead of the competition, while Mercedes remains a great unknown waiting for them to solve their problems with the rebound, the already famous porpoising, and McLaren is a long way from where it was. This has just started and it’s going to go around a lot, but Alpine is also looking stronger, as it’s going to fight to lead the second group.
With the new cars we will see big changes in the first two months, since in the factories they are working hard on future evolutions, and until the championship does not reach Europe it will not be stabilized.
LECLERC AND THE VERSTAPPEN PRESSURECharles Leclerc maintained the first position on the grid in a flawless startleading the opening laps of the race ahead of Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamiltonwho has surpassed Czech Perez at the exit. The Mexican recovered the position on the tenth lap (of 57), showing all the shortcomings of Mercedes, since neither Hamilton or Russell they could keep up with neither Ferrari nor Red Bull.
Hamilton and Alonzo have moved up the first pitstop to lap 12, while Verstappen he tried to surprise the leader by stopping at 15, the same one where he made the first change sainz. Leclerc stopped a lap later and got back on track just ahead of Max, who began an impressive hand-to-hand battle, with continuous and spectacular overtaking. The Monegasque, however, maintained the position. Sainz and Pérez began their particular fight for third position on the podium.
The second stop of hamilton has arrived on lap 27 of a race in which all the cars suffered great degradation despite the fact that Pirelli used the harder compound of their tires. Verstappenfor his part, made the pitstop on lap 30, immediately replicated by Leclercwho has returned to the track just ahead of Max. sainz was provisional leader, giving up the position to his teammate when he and Perez They changed tires on the 34.
Verstappen made the third stop on lap 44, just like Perez and then sainz. Pierre Gasly’s car fire has caused the exit of the security car and the platoon has been grouped. Leclerc, who had the race under control, saw how the test was neutralized and restarted with 7 laps to go. Then the drama began for the Red Bulls. First he had to leave Verstappen due to an electrical failure when he was behind Leclerc and then Pérez, who spun on the last lap when the engine went out in a corner and could not finish either.
MAGNUSSEN AND BOTTAS IMPRESS
They excelled in qualifying, but in the race they showed what a big step forward their cars have taken this season. Kevin Magnussen, who had been out of F1 for a year and who took the wheel from Nikita Mazepin, finished fifth at the controls of a Haas. Valtteri Bottas, meanwhile, has completed an excellent weekend taking the Alfa Romeo to sixth position. The anecdotal note, in both cases, is that both Haas and Alfa Romeo are powered by Ferrari.
Fernando Alonso was successful in the first round of the 2022 season at the controls of an Alpine that has shown hints of potential and that has significant room for improvement as the team makes improvements to the car. The Asturian, satisfied with the performance of the first race after finishing ninth, although he has already warned that a lot of work has to be done to qualify for more advanced positions.
Bahrain GP (Race)
1. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 1:37’33″584
2. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) at 5″598
3. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) at 9″675
4. George Russell (Mercedes) at 11″211
5. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) at 14.754
6. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) at 16″119
7. Esteban Ocon (Alpine) at 19.423
8. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) at 20″386
9. Fernando Alonso (Alpine) at 22″390
10. Guanyu Zhou (Alfa Romeo) at 23″064
11. Mick Schumacher (Haas) at 32″574
12. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) at 45″873
13. Alexander Albon (Williams) at 53.932
14. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) at 54.975
15. Lando Norris (McLaren) at 56″335
16. Nicholas Latifi (William) at 61″795
17. Nico Hulkenberg (Aston Martin) at 63″829
Retired:
Sergio Perez (Red Bull) 56
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 54
Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) 44