The 2022 Formula 1 season has been highly anticipated to allow for tighter racing and more competition for the top step of the podium. The season opener in Bahrain ended with Ferrari back on top after the Scarlet Red cars finished 1-2 while Red Bull dramatically suffered late retirements.
The latest regulation changes have provided a good indication of what the season ahead may hold with much closer wheel to wheel racing that is more indicative of the top tier of motorsport before the Hybrid era commenced. Current title holder Max Verstappen and Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc locked out the first row of the grid while the 57 lap race provided nail biting action between the two rivals.
Unfortunately, mechanical issues for Red Bull quashed any late challenge to continue Ferrari’s 45-race win drought after Max Verstappen retired his RB18 to the pits while Sergio Perez had an engine stall that spun his 2022-spec challenger out on the first corner of the last lap of the race. This enabled the prowling Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton to miraculously snatch the final podium place after only qualifying in fifth while fellow countryman and teammate George Russell managed to bring fourth position home for the Silver Arrows.
To the surprise of the paddock, comeback story of Kevin Magnussen and Haas managed ‘best of the rest’ with fifth place bringing home 10 points for the American team. This is 10 more than they managed last season after finishing stone last. Teammate Mick Schumacher was spun out after contact with Esteban Ocon in the initial stages of the race and finished outside of the points. Both Alpine and Alfa Romeo drivers’ finished in the top 10 while Yuki Tsunoda managed a modest eigth place for Alpha Tauri after teammate Pierre Gasly suffered a fire which forced a retirement in the closing laps of the race.
The Red Bull powered vehicles performed flawlessly during testing with no reliability issues but three out of their four cars suffered retirement in the season opener. Ferrari powered cars made up 50% of the points scoring places but with Ferrari back on top, it will be an attritional season with 22 races still ahead and teams expected to develop their 2022-spec cars considerably.
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will take place under the lights at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on the 27th of March with Practice sessions and qualifying scheduled on the 25th and 26th.
