‘A real step into the unknown’

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Lance Stroll described it best: this weekend’s Formula 1 spectacle in the Kingdom of Bahrain is “a real step into the unknown”.

The F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2022 at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) will truly be an unpredictable and thrilling event for everyone to enjoy.

It ushers in “A New Era” in F1, following the sweeping new regulations and the revolutionized car design.

And despite three days of official pre-season testing being held at “The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East” in Sakhir, there are still plenty of question marks heading into the new Championship campaign, which gets underway tomorrow with all eyes around the world focused on Bahrain.

“We may have just finished testing in Bahrain, but this weekend is a real step into the unknown, which is so exciting,” Stroll said, previewing the hottest event of the year. “I can’t wait to jump into the AMR22 and begin to find out where we are relative to the other teams. We’ll be learning every lap of the season and I’m expecting an intense development race this year. “For a driver, it’s awesome to play your part in such a big season of change.” Aston Martin teammate and four-time F1 drivers’ world champion Sebastian Vettel shares Stroll’s excitement but is also wary of the many challenges that lie ahead. “These new Formula One cars are so incredibly different to their predecessors,” said Vettel, who has won four times in the past in Bahrain. “We’ve spent the past weeks learning as much about them as we can and I’m looking to racing a ground-effect car for the first time this weekend. “Everything is new in Formula One and I think we’re looking at a very tight battle, and some very close gaps, between all the teams. There’s a lot to play for – and that’s F1 at its best.”

Aston Martin is hoping to make a stronger challenge this year after finishing last season seventh in the championship.

Also hoping to make a splash in 2022 are Alpine, who themselves are hoping to continue building on their impressive showing last season when they claimed fifth on the final constructors’ standings behind only Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren.

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso is entering his 20th season in motorsport having made his debut in 2001 in Australia and is as ready as ever. “We’ve been busy in Barcelona and Bahrain the last few weeks and because we’ve had more time in the car I’m far more prepared,” said the three-time Bahrain Grand Prix winner. “We’re reasonably pleased with the A522 and our preparations over the winter. “Nobody knows what fuel or engine modes everybody has been using during testing, so it’s impossible to place an order right now. “We always want to do more laps as the learnings are endless in Formula 1 but I’m looking forward to Saturday and seeing where we are against our competition.” Alpine teammate, Esteban Ocon is looking to add to his fine results in Bahrain, which includes a runner-up finish in 2020—his first podium in F1— along BIC’s shorter circuit for the Sakhir Grand Prix.

“We’ve spent quite a bit of time in Bahrain the last couple of years. Of course, it is where I achieved my first podium in Formula 1, alongside some other good results in the past, so I have great memories of this track. “It is a great venue and an exciting place to host the first race.”

New beginnings

For some drivers, the 2022 season also marks a new beginning. This is true for the Alfa Romeo pair of Valtteri Bottas and rookie Guanyu Zhou.

Bottas has made the move from his title-winning former team Mercedes but remains one of F1’s most talented veterans, and will be hoping for some positive results donning new colours.

Zhou is F1’s only first-year man on the grid and will be quickly looking to turn some heads.

“This race is the start of a new chapter in my career and I am confident I can achieve the goals I set together with the team,” said Bottas. “I’ve been impressed by the work ethic I’ve found since I first got to Hinwil and by the work we did over the winter: we encountered some issues in testing, but I know we’re on top of them and we can focus on achieving the best possible result on Sunday. It’s going to be a long season and it’s still a bit of a question mark in terms of where everyone stands: I think everyone is looking forward to a bit more clarity this weekend!”

Added Zhou: “I have been dreaming of making my debut in Formula One for years: this weekend will be an unforgettable moment for me and my country. “It’s a moment I will relish, and so will my family and everyone who helped us on this journey: we have worked so hard to be here and I am grateful for all the support I have received over the years. “The hard work doesn’t stop with my debut, of course: I am now in the most prestigious and competitive motorsport series and I am aware of the scope of the challenge ahead. I know how hard I will need to work and how quick I will need to learn: thankfully, the team is around me and they have been superb at helping me be ready for this moment. I know so many people will be watching me on Sunday and I want to make them proud.”