The first results that emerged from the first two days of pre-season testing at the Bahrain International circuit brought Scuderia Ferrari at the top of the timesheets, with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc finishing the first day of testing immediately behind the leader Pierre Gasly, while the Spanish driver was the fastest on the second day in Sakhir. Second-placed Max Verstappen was 0.479s behind, the Dutchman, Lance Stroll, Lewis Hamilton, Esteban Ocon and Charles Leclerc were covered by just 0.355s.
Results which were very similar to those scored by the two Maranello drivers in the previous tests at Montmeló, where the F1-75 had moderately convinced Ferrari about its potential and prospects ahead of the 2022 Formula 1 season. The Italian side’s performance up to this point did not go unnoticed even by the direct opponents of the Maranello team, starting with Red Bull and its motorsport advisor Helmut Marko.
The Austrian manager, interviewed during the second day of testing, in fact provided some insight into the pecking order based on what could be seen from the data gathered by team in the first two days of testing at the Sakhir circuit, indirectly praising the performances of the rivals: “Ferrari is in the lead from the first results” – commented Helmut Marko – “with Red Bull second ahead of Mercedes and McLaren” – this was his assessment, as reported by German automobile magazine Auto Motor und Sport. However, the 78-year-old stressed one key aspect of his personal evaluation: “This, however, only applies for the moment.”
The focus now shfts to the final day of 2022 Formula 1 pre-season testing and the season opener just a week away, as we can expect to see some hot laps and hopefully gain a better idea of the pecking order. Today, Carlos Sainz will be first out handing over to his Maranello teammate Charles Leclerc in the afternoon.
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