Bahrain: post-race analysis 2022

An entertaining start to the season, slightly irked to have opted for the wrong one of two bets, but that’s the way things go. A mildly red start to the year, but only a smidge.

Leclerc started on new soft tyres but those around him opted for used (new softs on later). Off the line, the top two started well, Sainz was a little sluggish but managed to cling to his spot, whereas Perez found himself on the wrong part of the track and passed by both Hamilton and Magnussen. Bottas, meanwhile, had an appalling start and dropped 8 places.

The top two stretched slowly away from Sainz, with Leclerc not miles ahead of Verstappen but able to build a few seconds’ gap. Magnussen engaged in brake-locking that enabled both Hamilton and Perez to get past him, the Mexican also passing the Briton.

In the first pit stops Verstappen made his move first and was close enough to challenge and then pass Leclerc, who drove smartly to reclaim the place shortly thereafter. This repeated on the next lap, Verstappen charging from way back on the pit straight to snatch the lead, but he flat-spotted his tyres and had to drop back, but was under no threat from Sainz (who was worrying over the radio about perhaps needing a third spot).

The Mercedes had slapped on hard tyres after their first pit stop and were losing a second a lap to the top four. Meanwhile, Perez in his mediums (Sainz on softs during stint two) was reeling the Spaniard in, but once the gap his 2-3s the Ferrari was able to hold it steady.

After the second stops Leclerc was over a second ahead of Verstappen and did not seem under any risk, the main potential for passing at the sharp end seeming to be Perez on Sainz.

Red Bull seemed out of it and tried some strategic cunning, boxing yet again for soft tyres for the last 15 laps or so. Sainz did likewise, as did the Mercedes. And then Gasly’s car stopped and burst into flames. The safety car came out, and Leclerc boxed cheaply to easily keep his lead but the cars were bunched up and his comfy advantage was erased.

Verstappen was grumbling about problems, and this got worse when it extended to his power steering going on the blink. Come the restart, Leclerc had the easiest ride and just cruised off to victory, while Sainz was all over the back of Verstappen. Perez was too busy fending off Hamilton to try and take the last podium position. And his Dutch team mate’s day went from bad to worse when a terminal power loss forced him to retire to the pits. Sainz inherited 2^nd, and when Perez’s engine died on the first corner of the final lap, Hamilton found himself enjoying his 37,000^th podium finish. With Russell right behind him, it was as near perfect for Mercedes as it was appalling for Red Bull.

And who found himself 5^th? Kevin Magnussen. Quite the comeback, for both the Dane and Haas (Schumacher was just outside the points in 11^th, the team having opted not to pit during the safety car). Bottas also got some very handy points for Alfa Romeo in 6^th, and Zhou Guanyu got the final point for 10^th on his debut.

Alpine also double-scored, with Ocon ahead of Alonso in 7^th and 9^th, while Tsunoda got 8^th. However, those with Red Bull engines must be wary of what happened to one AlphaTauri and both Red Bulls. They’re mighty in a straight line, but every single DNF of the race was in a car powered by them.

 

As I said, a little bit annoyed with myself for backing the back-and-hedge bet for Sainz rather than the each way, but betting is rather easier with hindsight, and the podium bet means I’m only very slightly red for the weekend.

I think I heard that the Red Bull was better in high speed corners, the Ferrari in the slow stuff. If so, next week’s race in Saudi Arabia should suit the former, assuming they reach the finish line.

 

Morris Dancer