Formula 1 returned with a bang! The first Grand Prix of the year in Bahrain took place over the weekend and it did not disappoint. Let’s talk about the winners and losers of the weekend as well as some honourable mentions.
The Winners:
Ferrari: This was the result this team had been searching for years. P1 and P2 for LeClerc and Sainz respectively was a dream for the Scuderia. Ferrari seemed to have nailed the car regulations in the form of F1-75. Fast laps in testing through three sessions and in qualification rendered P1 and P3. It would have finished that way if it weren’t for the Red Bull engine problems around lap 53 and lap 57. But the Ferraris had pace and their pit strategy worked splendidly. It was a five star performance and it leaves this fan extremely happy.
Mercedes AMG: I thought today both drivers would finish outside the podium but Hamilton was another beneficiary of the Red Bull collapse. Solid, although not up to their eight times constructors championship caliber through testing and qualification. P5 and P6 on the grid coming into Sunday left Toto Wolff desiring more. All credit comes to the silver arrow crew for never giving up. Hamilton made the podium while George Russell’s debut for his new team was at P4.
Now on to the under performers. It’s hard to call these racers losers because in the grand scheme of things they are the elite of the elite. But this is Formula 1 and the harsh reality is part and parcel of the sport. Onwards and upwards.
The losers:
Red Bull Racing: Coming into the weekend from testing and qualification one could see that Horner and crew were going to pick up straight up where they left off with their reigning World Champion driver in Max Verstappen and Sergio “Checo” Perez. In the early stages after the first pit stop for Max there was a breathtaking battle with LeClerc. Overtake after overtake, it was what fans of the sport crave. Cruising to what looked like P2 and P4 the unthinkable happened and it would see Max’s car retired after complaining of power drain and Perez spinning out around lap 55 or so. Crushing. Both DNF’s will leave a sour taste in their mouths. I doubt we will see this type of performance from Red Bull again but if this is a sign of the things to come it could be a long season for the Austrian sport drink company.
McLaren: It was a real bad day at the office for the historic team from England. Once touting world champions like Lewis Hamilton, it’s been a wander through the wilderness over the last few seasons. Last season had some highlights more notably the one two at Monza and podium for Lando at Monaco. Heading into testing and qualification they were running middle of the pack. The previous week Ricciardo contracted COVID and was unable to participate in meetings and the like. Potentially this could be one of the reason for such a poor grid position and finish today as well. What is still leaving me scratching my head is Lando’s performance during qualifying and in the Grand Prix. Maybe the Netflix darlings have coloured my view point about this team and Ricciardo did have a well documented struggles at the start up to the summer break in the previous season so we could be witnessing a pattern. I don’t expect them to be to deliver this type of performance again but their position in the constructors championship is under serious threat with the likes of Ferrari and others improving.
Gasly: This guy just can’t catch a break. In lap 47 the Alpha Tauri number 10 had an overheating issue that zapped the electrical system in the car and with the remaining power was able to steer off the track where it promptly caught on fire. Running a solid race along with partner Tsunoda, this just isn’t the start this team needed. Ultimately this didn’t ruin the day and the sister team is ahead of Red Bull with 4 points from Yuki’s finish. But I do wonder if this is a concern with the Red Bull cars as Gasly overheating and fire incident, Max losing battery power as he thought, and Perez spinning out on the last lap giving their rivals so many crucial early points.
Honorable mentions:
Hass: Upon his fortuitous return to F1, Kevin Magnussen was over the moon finishing P5 and surprising the hell out of the field. Being serial laughing stocks in the Netflix series, this finish proves they are meaning business this season. I can’t recall a higher finish for Haas for the limited time I have been watching the sport but this is a spectacular achievement especially because he wasn’t even the driver but for a few weeks ago over sanctions over Russia and their invasion of Ukraine. Removing Mazepin and his father’s financial muscle means this is a crucial gamble for the sole American team. They have always had fear of not gaining enough points and that would eventually cause them to leave Formula 1 but today 10 points were scored and I know it’s early but if this continues it could be the shock of the season.
Alpha Romeo: Coming into 2022 with an entirely new lineup brings a lot of questions but Bottas and Zhou gave the rest of the field notice. Strong outings from the Finnish vet and the rookie from China were another pleasant surprise for race fans. You can’t help but feel good for ol’ Valterri. And with Zhou, the gamble seemed to work bringing him in from Formula 2 and hopefully cracking that massive Chinese market.
Okay so that was my overall thoughts about what transpired on the circuit. I hope you enjoy this and please feel free to leave your own opinion.
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