As F1 prepares to officially commence the new season, here is a guide to everything you need to know ahead of the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix.
From new technical and sporting regulations to various driver changes, 2022 promises to deliver an unpredictable season as teams gear up for the first proper chance to discover their true performance potential in the season-opening race weekend.
Up front, Max Verstappen will be eager to defend his controversial title but Lewis Hamilton will be eager to extract revenge following that cruel finish in Abu Dhabi, whilst several teams will look to spring surprises and upset the traditional frontrunners.
Now without further ado, here is a guide to everything that you need to know ahead of 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix.
Track Guide
Circuit: Bahrain International Circuit
Laps: 57
Race Distance: 308.405km
Tyre Compounds: C1, C2 & C3
Schedule
| Date | Session | Time (GMT) |
| Friday 18 March | FP1 | 12pm |
| Friday 18 March | FP2 | 3pm |
| Saturday 19 March | FP3 | 12pm |
| Saturday 19 March | Qualifying | 3pm |
| Sunday 20 March | Race | 3pm |
Five Key Pointers
- Having enjoyed a trouble-free pre-season with the best porpoising stability and consistently quick pace, Ferrari will certainly be early favourites heading into this weekend.
- Mercedes struggled with porpoising but last season saw them sandbag heavily in pre-season so shouldn’t discount them out of the fight for victory here.
- Having missed the final pre-season test due to Coronavirus, McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo faces a tough task to get himself up to speed against his teammate – Lando Norris.
- FP1 and FP3 won’t be representative due to taking place in hotter temperatures so expect FP2 to provide a true indicator of the pecking order heading into Qualifying.
- Having endured a tough pre-season despite spending the entirety of 2021 focused on designing this year’s car, Haas will be a team to watch throughout the weekend in terms of true pace.
Last Time Out
Last year’s season opener set the stage for a tense title fight as Verstappen and Hamilton duelled for victory throughout the race, with the seven-time champion clinching the win after a late off-track overtake cost Verstappen as he got caught in dirty air conceding the position.