Max fifth in Bahrain FP1

Published on 18 March 2022 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen opened the 2022 Formula 1 season with fifth place in the first practice session of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri) was quickest around the Bahrain International Circuit with the two Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz completing the top three. Max’ Oracle Red Bull Racing teammate Sergio Perez clocked the tenth fastest time.

When the pitlane opens for FP1, it is immediately busy on track with the drivers and teams keen to get as much data as they can, following six days of pre-season testing. After four minutes, Max makes his first appearance of the day. As he sets a quick first sector, the first yellow flag of the season is waved. Esteban Ocon’s Alpine sheds some sidepod bodywork, resulting in carbon fibre debris on the start/finish straight. To allow the marshals to clean up the track, the red flag is shown with the session time continuing to count down.

With forty minutes on the clock, the pitlane re-opens and most drivers rush out to make up for lost time. As we have come to expect, lap times improve slowly throughout the session with teams working their way through their programs.

Of the eventual top ten, four drivers clock their fastest lap on the medium Pirellis, with the other six use the extra grip of the soft tyres. Pierre Gasly falls in the latter category and sets the quickest time of the session on the red side-walled softs. His Alpha Tauri team appear delighted, prompting a “What a lap!” exclamation from his engineer.

Soon after, both Ferraris aim to dethrone Gasly from the top spot, but their efforts stall in second and third place, with the added note of Sainz and Leclerc completing their laps on the medium Pirellis.

Throughout the session, drivers have small lock ups and the occasional spin as they get to grips with the new cars. However, in the end FP1 proves uneventful, apart from the early red flag.

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Results first free practice Bahrain: