2022 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sakhir, March 18 - 20

[JPower]

The McLaren’s pace is shocking.

Really can’t believe they’re that far off the mark.

[zubster]

It might just be my perception but the cars don't look as impressive on track, compared to last year. Seems to be better racing mind. The merc engine cars are all struggling. Wonder what happended.

[f1jcw]

Merc strategy still incomprehensible

[JordanMugen]

DRS does seem quite ineffective. It is quite evident they can run closer together.

In the slower corners they really don’t look sharp though, reminds me of Indycar.

Cars look big and blundering when grouped together. I think some of the “spectacle” is gone.

True they are clumsy, but on the other hand they can race like F2 which is what many people wanted and which was the very goal of the regulation design.

Of course the regulators can't prevent field spread, but when the cars are together they can race very well indeed by the looks of it.

[Just_a_fan]

Yep most of you just want a procession with HAM at the front driving away into the distance. At least we have drivers trying to pass. See it as a small victory for the sport

Can you take your sarcasm elsewhere please...

The racing has been pretty good so far although there is also still some procession running going on too.

[Hoffman900]

S'funny, but in the last few years, coming from that far back was classed as a dive bomb. This year it's a bona fide overtake move in that Red Bull.

Yes, dive bombing to clip the apex is normalised now.

I meant it was amazing that it worked so well as last year coming from that far back would probably have been a bit touch-and-go.

It’s also how you race karts and other “spec” series, which these guys come up through.

Glad the cars work that they don’t lose their braking grip as much when they grt closer.

Mid race musings, Mick not only needs to be closer to Mag but he also needs to make sure he beats Zho, which I think is in a similar paced or maybe a hair slower car.

Mclaren hurts. I can’t say that enough.

[Mogster]

S'funny, but in the last few years, coming from that far back was classed as a dive bomb. This year it's a bona fide overtake move in that Red Bull.

Yes, dive bombing to clip the apex is normalised now.

I meant it was amazing that it worked so well as last year coming from that far back would probably have been a bit touch-and-go.

Aye. Coming from that far back would have been viewed as a bit crazy previously, not now.

[Just_a_fan]

Merc strategy still incomprehensible

Not sure why they didn't run the hard for longer. Their pace was pretty good compared to the medium runners behind them. They aren't going to catch the front four, no matter what tyres they fit.

[F1doc]

Am I missing something? The cars do seem able to follow better, but the passes are still DRS assisted but for Perez's move on Hamilton. I'm disappointed.

[101FlyingDutchman]

Yep most of you just want a procession with HAM at the front driving away into the distance. At least we have drivers trying to pass. See it as a small victory for the sport

Can you take your sarcasm elsewhere please...

The racing has been pretty good so far although there is also still some procession running going on too.

fair point. Always is going to be procession at some stage. Been like that for years and years.

[Dr. Acula]

Merc strategy still incomprehensible

I think they literally don't know what to do. They don't have the pace to attack the cars in front of them regardless of strategy. But they are still a bit faster than the cars behind them, regardless of strategy.

[Schippke]

I'm surprised that Mercedes have pitted Lewis so soon off the Hards to the Mediums... and prior to half race distance. Surely they could've gone a considerable length longer on them, compared to the Mediums, unless the Mercedes is chewing through them?

[JPower]

Am I missing something? The cars do seem able to follow better, but the passes are still DRS assisted but for Perez's move on Hamilton. I'm disappointed.

DRS is never leaving. The new regs just allow drivers to push close without losing massive downforce and instantly destroying their tires.

[Hoffman900]

Yep most of you just want a procession with HAM at the front driving away into the distance. At least we have drivers trying to pass. See it as a small victory for the sport

Can you take your sarcasm elsewhere please...

The racing has been pretty good so far although there is also still some procession running going on too.

fair point. Always is going to be procession at some stage. Been like that for years and years.

Even in something like Formula Ford. You want to line up and get away with a few others so you can save it for the end. This is all racing.

[jz11]

It might just be my perception but the cars don't look as impressive on track, compared to last year. Seems to be better racing mind. The merc engine cars are all struggling. Wonder what happended.

last years cars were at the end of development and with quite well understood tyres, this 1st race is the exact opposite, they are really learning now what is what and where the competition really is, that will let them work out development directions
for instance Merc seem quite lost at the moment, but I don't think it will stay that way for long