2022 Formula 1 – Race 1: Bahrain Grand Prix
Venue: Bahrain International Circuit, Bahrain.
Race Date: 20th March 2022
Race Preview
The first race of the 2022 F1 season is upon us, and all of the big hitters will be looking to get off to the best start possible. Max Verstappen goes into the new season as the man to beat, following his incredible last lap of the season title win in 2021. Lewis Hamilton will of course be the protagonist in chief as he looks to take the title back off the Dutchman in search of his 8th F1 World Championship title. Elsewhere, the likes of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will be spearheading the Ferrari attack this season, with George Russell at Mercedes and Sergio Perez at Red Bull also sure to be in the mix come the end of the campaign. With the usual thrills and spills sure to be present from lights out in Bahrain, this could be an incredible season opener in the desert.
Betting Preview
Race Winner
It is the opening race of the season and all the biggest runners and riders in the sport will be looking to put points on the board early in Bahrain: –
2021 was a season filled with drama, schedule changes and thrills and spills but Max Verstappen ultimately held his nerve when it mattered, to clinch his maiden Formula 1 world title. The Dutchman opened up a huge lead throughout the course of the season, before wilting on his way to the finish line, only to claw it back in a controversial final race of the season in Abu Dhabi. They often say that winning the first world title is always the most difficult and for Verstappen, he will be desperate to use that as a spring board moving forward and getting off to a good start here in Bahrain for Red Bull will be at the forefront of his thoughts.
Having had his crown taken away from the last lap of last season, Lewis Hamilton will be out to put the record straight this term. His Mercedes car perhaps hasn’t impressed in the same way it has in previous pre-season testing days, suggesting that he will have to be at the top of his game if he wants to clinch his record-breaking 8th world title. He has enjoyed some pretty decent results in Bahrain over the years too and he will be eager to get off to a flyer this weekend.
Ferrari are enduring one of their longest barren spells in Formula 1 but there is genuine cause for optimism within the Italian side this season. Having impressed at pre-season testing, Charles Leclerc will be spearheading the Ferrari campaign this year, with team mate Carlos Sainz Jr also sure to be in the mix. With so much attention on Verstappen and Hamilton, Leclerc could sneak under the radar this year and he looks well priced to make a winning start to the 2022 campaign.
Top Six Finish
Getting early points on the board will be the ultimate priority for every driver on the grid and as always, the first race of the season presents the perfect opportunity to see where everybody is at:-
Red Bull clearly have a super quick car again in 2022 and Sergio Perez will be looking to continue excelling in his role as the number 2 driver for the team. Max Verstappen is the defending F1 world champion, and his every move will be scrutinised, allowing Perez to enjoy racing with the pressure off him somewhat. Conditions in Bahrain should suit his driving style too, making him a candidate for a top 6 finish this weekend.
In a similar vein, George Russell has been drafted in at Mercedes from Williams, with the young Brit having been earmarked for a great future in the sport. Despite not having a car to compete at the top of the grid in recent seasons, Russell has proven he has the driving credentials to compete at the highest level and he will be looking to make a statement from the outset here in Bahrain.
2022 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix Best Bets:
Race Winner: Max Verstappen – $2.75
Top Six Finish: Sergio Perez – $1.40
