The official Bahrain pre-season testing is about to kick-off in anticipation of one of the most rigorous regulation changes in recent history. While teams have already gotten to grips with 2022-spec challengers in Spain, we can expect updates and new equipment to be installed for further data gathering. 

The previous ‘unofficial’ runnings held in Catalunya two weeks ago were not completed in vain, in fact any pre-season running prior to the first race of the season allows teams in the top tier of motorsport to fettle and refine their race cars before the competition officially gets underway. In some cases we can expect vastly different cars which seek to solve problems experienced such as porpoising while other upgrades may focus around optimising aerodynamic advantage or vehicle setup to drivers’ preference.

The final standings in Spain should be considered inconclusive as they are not indicative of future performance since teams make strategic use of tyres, fuel loads or run plans. For example, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc managed a time of 1:19.689 on the C3 tyre while Hamilton managed the quickest time throughout the test of 1:19.138 on much softer and quicker C5 compound tyres. The same can be said with the official Bahrain pre-season testing although we should get a better understanding where the teams competitively stand once the three day running closes.

Both former title challengers Mercedes and Red Bull are expected to bring significant upgrades with them while Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto says the F1-75 wont change dramatically but rather be optimised from the first test. This doesn’t mean Ferrari won’t be receiving any new parts either.

After abysmal mileage from Catalunya, both Alfa Romeo and Haas will be itching to collect more data in Bahrain in an effort to better understand the physical relationship between the cars performance and the drivers that pilot them.

Haas have had another stroke of bad luck after transport delays will see them miss the first morning of testing after terminating their sponsorship contract with Uralkali and Nikita Mazepin. Pietro Fittipaldi who was rumoured to take the sullied Russians seat will be collecting data for the team but the breaking news is that Kevin Magnussen will rejoin the team for the 2022 season.