Bahrain GP
Leclerc will start from pole position in the first GP of the season ahead of Verstappen and the man from Madrid, who fought for the best time until the end
The entry into force of the new Formula 1 regulations predicted changes in the domain flows in the competition, but not as much as the first classification of the year has suggested. Charles Leclerc achieved pole position in the Bahrain GP, so he will be the favorite to win along with Max Verstappen, who will start second, and Carlos Sainz who has a golden opportunity. Only six thousandths separated the man from Madrid from his partner at Toro Rosso seven years ago, in a session that left many with their eyes open.
And it is that Ferrari has taken a position of power. In pre-season testing they made it clear that they had, if nothing else, the most consistent car. The F1-75 is not only fast, but also fast. The ‘commendatore’ Enzo already said it: «Aerodynamics is for those who don’t know how to make engines». And that has been evident in Sakhir. The power units manufactured in Maranello, not only for the Cavallino but for its customers, are clearly superior to those of its rivals. It is no coincidence that the red cars are seen at the top, nor is it that the Alfa Romeo or the Haas, which used to dominate the bottom of the table along with the eternal Williams, have suddenly been planted in Q3 in their first classification of the anus. No one expected that Kevin Magnussen, on his return to competition, would get into a historic seventh place or that Valtteri Bottas would finish sixth behind Lewis Hamilton now that they are no longer teammates.
The positive news of the day was left by those powered by Ferrari, but without a doubt the most relevant is the sinking of Mercedes. From being the dominant car they have gone on to have a gray car (and not just literally) in the current ‘status quo’ of the competition. The seven-time champion warned that they were more than 8 tenths behind the Red Bulls and he was almost right: between him, who will start fifth, and Verstappen, who will do second, half a second. George Russell will start in a very poor ninth position, behind Fernando Alonso.
‘The Plan’ is red
Carlos Sainz was not exultant after the memorable third place in the standings because he knew he was superior. The man from Madrid held provisional pole position for a few moments in Q3, just before Verstappen (only 6 thousandths avoided Ferrari’s double) and his teammate improved him minimally. From the first moment it was seen that the Spaniard could fight for the upper zone and was the reference in some moments of the session.
Ironically, it’s been an awkward weekend for him. “I’ve been within half a second all weekend and to be able to be fighting for pole position in Q3 is good news. Not getting that last tenth is a shame, but I think Charles deserves it, he’s been in the front all weekend and he deserves that pole”, he admitted after that memorable third place.
Those who only see Formula 1 with Alonso’s glasses will be surprised because ‘The Plan’ is not blue and pink, but red, but the reality is undeniable: Sainz has a golden opportunity this Sunday to win his first Grand Prix of Formula 1. It will depend a little more on luck than he would have liked, but the rest is there: pace, speed, reliability and motivation.
Except for the last, Alonso lacks everything else. The Asturian went to Q3 without suffering, something that his teammate Esteban Ocon cannot say, but he stayed in no man’s land. The Alpine starts better than it did in 2021, but not as well as they would have liked. The eighth position allows him to be optimistic for the fight for the points, but he will not be in the fight for the podium except for a major surprise. The original ‘The Plan’ starts a little slower than expected, but seeing where direct rivals like McLaren or Aston Martin are, they may well find themselves with a ridge in their teeth.
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