Welcome back to the madness. It’s been 98 days since all of that happened in Abu Dhabi. For me, my weekends felt pretty empty without Formula One completely messing with my schedule. However, now that we’re back for the first race weekend of the 2022 season, I remember exactly how much information we are inundated with after every session. FP2 wrapped up and we’ve already got people claiming that Charles Leclerc is obviously the next world champion, especially after that pole today and that Mercedes are going to be playing dodgems at the back of the grid with Williams. My advice? Take everything you read, and see for that matter with a pinch of salt. Nobody, not even the drivers or the teams, understand how the true potential of these cars will manifested until Q3 on Saturday and then again in the Grand Prix on Sunday.
The grid could be racing down the street and I’d still be ecstatic that they’re back. Luckily, though, we get to witness another race on the Bahrain International Circuit. Although not necessarily a fan favourite, I do not think Bahrain is a terrible season opener. Something about seeing the new generation of cars and their liveries under the floodlights of a night race kicks up the excitement a notch. Also, by race day most drivers will have had 4 and a half days of practice around this 5.412km circuit. No major changes have been made to the track so the drivers will know it like the back of their hand, meaning they can afford to take more risks. They will be pushing to the absolute limits for 57 laps to ensure they start this new era of Formula One in the best shape possible.
Bahrain has provided some pretty intense races since its addition to the calendar in 2004. For me, the most memorable is George Russell’s misfortune in 2020 when he stepped up into the Mercedes team as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton who was out with Covid. But no worries, George will have another 23 chances to redeem himself this season and show the team at Mercedes that he’s capable of winning races when they don’t put the wrong tires on his car. We also had Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg going head-to-head in 2014, providing some spicy wheel to wheel racing. Could we see the Ferrari boys repeat history this season? I think things have been a little bit too cordial in their garage for too long now.
George Russell racing for first time in Mercedes in Free Practice at Bahrain International Track (Mercedes F1 Instagram)
At the current moment, it looks like Ferrari and Red Bull are well clear at the front of the pack. However, like I said, anything can truly happen! Who knows which teams are waiting until the last moment to unleash the true potential of their package. Although I would never pray for a team's downfall, the assumption that there will not be a Mercedes-Verstappen podium this weekend makes me a little giddy. Personally, this season I want more new faces on the podium, more feel good moments (Monza 2021…I’m thinking of you), and more absurd and exciting on-track battles than last year (if that’s possible).
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