Prancing Horses, Broken Bulls, Lucky Arrows - 2022 Bahrain GP Review

A lot happened in the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix - a Ferrari 1-2, double DNF for the Red Bulls and Lewis Hamilton's 7th consecutive podium finish. And of course, heroics from Valtteri Bottas & Kevin Magnussen.

Tune in to the race review episode on the Inside Line F1 Podcast with Soumil and Kunal.

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Topics discussed -

• Is there a pecking order falling in place after Bahrain?


• Were cars able to follow each other closely?


• What were the issues that Max Verstappen was fighting through the race?


• What was the eventual race strategy & which double World Champion predicted 3 stops pre-race?


• Why did the Alfa Romeo drivers have poor starts?


• Will 5 days be enough for Red Bull to sort out their fuel system-related issues and finally, could this issue plague other teams through the course of the season?

(Season 2022, Episode 14)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Ferrari

# Inside Line F1 Podcast: Bahrain Grand Prix Review

## Episode Summary:

The Inside Line F1 Podcast, hosted by Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah, delves into the thrilling season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, which witnessed a Ferrari 1-2 finish, a double DNF for Red Bull, and Lewis Hamilton's seventh consecutive podium.

### Key Points:

1. **Ferrari Dominance:**
- Ferrari secured a commanding victory with Charles Leclerc taking the race win, followed by Carlos Sainz in second place.
- This marks Ferrari's first 1-2 finish since the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix and their first race win since the 2021 Austrian Grand Prix.

2. **Red Bull's Double DNF:**
- Both Red Bull drivers, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, suffered retirements due to fuel system-related issues.
- This unexpected setback leaves Red Bull with a significant deficit in the championship standings.

3. **Hamilton's Consistent Podiums:**
- Lewis Hamilton extended his streak of consecutive podium finishes to seven, despite Mercedes' struggles with the new car.
- Hamilton's consistency highlights his ability to adapt and maximize results even in challenging circumstances.

4. **Alfa Romeo's Poor Starts:**
- Alfa Romeo drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu both had poor starts, dropping down the order in the opening laps.
- Bottas attributed this to limited testing opportunities due to the team's car reliability issues.

5. **Red Bull's Fuel System Concerns:**
- The fuel system issues that plagued Red Bull in Bahrain raise concerns about the reliability of the new cars.
- The team has five days to resolve these problems before the next race in Saudi Arabia.
- There is uncertainty whether this issue could potentially affect other teams throughout the season.

### Notable Quotes:

- "It's been 15 years since Ferrari last won the championship. If Bernie Eccleston was still in charge, he would definitely repeat his statement that Formula One needs Ferrari to be winning." - Kunal Shah

- "The whole air of respect between Verstappen and Leclerc is lovely. They've grown up racing go-karts together and know how naughty the other can get." - Soumil Arora

- "Carlos Sainz's disappointment with finishing second shows his ambition and determination to challenge for the title." - Soumil Arora

- "Red Bull started on the worst footing possible, but at least they know they had a car to compete with Ferrari." - Kunal Shah

- "The new generation of Formula One cars seem to be better in terms of raceability, with drivers able to follow and overtake each other more easily." - Kunal Shah

- "Mercedes' strategy was confusing, especially with the hard tire compound on Hamilton's car. They were fortunate to get a podium due to Red Bull's retirements." - Kunal Shah

- "Race control's decisions were generally fair and consistent, including the track limits enforcement and penalties." - Soumil Arora

- "Valtteri Bottas and Kevin Magnussen were the standout performers in the midfield, with Bottas overcoming limited testing and Magnussen continuing his impressive comeback." - Kunal Shah

### Overall Message:

The Bahrain Grand Prix was a thrilling start to the 2022 Formula One season, with Ferrari showcasing their dominance and Red Bull facing unexpected challenges. The midfield battles were entertaining, and race control showed signs of improvement. The upcoming races will determine whether Ferrari can maintain their momentum and if Red Bull can bounce back from their disappointing start.