Bahrain Grand Prix – Leclerc, a flawless weekend
Always in the Top 2 during the various practice sessions and author of his first career Hat-Trick, the Ferrari driver has started his season perfectly.
Charles Leclerc couldn’t have dreamed of a better start to the season. The Monegasque driver leaves Bahrain with the maximum number of points he could gather, in addition to making a very strong impression.
After the two winter testing sessions, it became evident that Ferrari would have to be reckoned with this season. From the first official laps of the 2022 season, the red cars positioned themselves at the forefront. Always in second place during the three free practice sessions at the Sakhir circuit, Charles Leclerc pulled off the necessary lap during Saturday’s qualifying session to secure the tenth pole position of his career.
The next day, the Ferrari driver perfectly managed his race to convert his pole position into a victory. He even allowed himself the luxury of achieving his first career hat-trick (pole position, victory, fastest lap).
From the start, Leclerc protected himself from a potential attack from Verstappen by defending the inside of the first corners. His first stint, executed with great control, was a model of its kind. After the initial pit stops, the Monegasque had to fend off the assaults from his Dutch rival. Twice, the Red Bull driver managed to get the upper hand on the Ferrari at the first corner, but each time, Leclerc responded by reclaiming his position in the following corners.
During the safety car release on the track, Leclerc could have found himself in difficulty during the race restart, but once again, he managed to create the necessary gap to keep Verstappen at bay. This race management combined with a perfect control of his tire degradation allowed him to step onto the highest step of the podium.
During the 2019 Bahrain Grand Prix, for his second race with Ferrari, Leclerc, who was leading a few laps before the finish, had to let Mercedes win due to an engine issue. The Monégasque driver then took a sweet revenge on fate by securing his third victory of the season in the night race of Bahrain, following his wins in Spa and Monza in 2019.
This 239th victory for the Scuderia combined with the 85th Red double is very promising for the rest of the season. Leclerc and Sainz will be strong contenders for victories, at least in the beginning of the year. Let’s hope that the good relationship between the Monegasque and the Spaniard continues and doesn’t turn into a fratricidal battle for the title.
