Ferrari, Magnussen & Bottas Light Up Sakhir - 2022 Bahrain GP Qualifying Review

Here it is, our 2022 Bahrain GP qualifying review - Charles Leclerc on pole, followed by Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Jr.

Soumil and Kunal discuss the heroes & zeroes from today's qualifying. Kevin Magnussen, Valtteri Bottas & even Nico Hulkenberg? And poor Daniel Ricciardo, he can't seem to catch a break.

Tune in!

(This is our traveling audio setup, so pardon the quality)

**InsideLineF1 Podcast: 2022 Bahrain GP Qualifying Review**

- **Surprise Performers:**
- Kevin Magnussen: Despite limited track time, he outperformed Mick Schumacher and several experienced drivers, securing a spot ahead of Fernando Alonso.
- Valtteri Bottas: In his Alfa Romeo, Bottas out-qualified George Russell in the Mercedes, showcasing his exceptional skills.

- **Ferrari's Dominance:**
- Charles Leclerc secured pole position, followed by Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Jr., confirming Ferrari's strong performance during preseason testing.
- The top three drivers were separated by a mere 0.13 seconds, indicating a competitive battle for the win.

- **Mercedes' Struggles:**
- George Russell faced difficulties in qualifying, finishing in P9 due to an experimental outlap strategy.
- Lewis Hamilton secured P5, highlighting the Mercedes' flaws despite being the third-fastest car.

- **Aston Martin's Disappointment:**
- Both Aston Martin cars, driven by Sebastian Vettel and Nico Hulkenberg, were eliminated in Q1.
- Hulkenberg's limited testing time did not hinder his performance, showcasing his exceptional skills.

- **Daniel Ricciardo's Ongoing Challenges:**
- Ricciardo's struggles continued, with an early exit in Q1.
- Despite acknowledging his talent, he admitted to lacking track time, contributing to his poor performance.

- **Predictions for the Race:**
- Leclerc and Verstappen are considered the favorites for the win, given their strong qualifying performances and competitive machinery.
- The absence of the Q2 rule could lead to a more diverse tire selection and potentially a more exciting race.

- **Key Takeaways:**
- Ferrari's preseason testing results were accurate, demonstrating their strong performance in the first race.
- Bottas' impressive qualifying performance highlights his talent and potential with Alfa Romeo.
- Magnussen's return to F1 was remarkable, showcasing his skills and competitive spirit.
- Mercedes faces challenges despite being the third-fastest car, with Russell and Hamilton facing difficulties.
- Aston Martin's poor qualifying performance raises concerns, while Hulkenberg's skills shine despite limited preparation.
- Ricciardo's ongoing struggles raise questions about his adaptation to McLaren's car and driving style.
- The Bahrain Grand Prix promises to be exciting, with close battles, strategic tire choices, and the potential for an upset.

[00:00.000 -> 00:24.240] Well, if Formula 1 isn't all you can eat buffet, we have just been served qualifying.
[00:24.240 -> 00:25.600] The cauliflower.
[00:25.600 -> 00:30.560] Well, that was a bit of a screw-up, much like what happened to Mercedes qualifying this time out. But
[00:30.560 -> 00:35.600] hey, we shall speak about all of that and more on this express episode of the InsideLineF1 podcast.
[00:35.600 -> 00:40.160] My name is Somal, joined by Kunal. First things first, Kunal, let's talk about the big story,
[00:40.160 -> 00:50.600] the big surprise. We knew Ferrari would be good, but this good? Oh, come on, this is amazing. I thought the big story, the big surprise was going to be or was Kevin McNewson,
[00:50.600 -> 00:55.200] but yes, we'll stick to Ferrari. For one of those rare times, you know, preseason testing
[00:55.200 -> 01:00.960] is showing true in terms of the pecking order, at least for the first race. Ferrari were
[01:00.960 -> 01:12.000] looking quick, stable, they came out quick and stable. Charles getting his 10th pole position in Formula 1, challenged by the Red Bull cars. Again, something we knew that would happen as well.
[01:12.000 -> 01:30.240] Great that the top three were split by like a tenth or terabytes. Yeah, 0.13. So, 7 out of 10 teams in Q3. Fernando Alonso there, Lewis Hamilton, only third fastest,
[01:30.240 -> 01:31.680] at least in terms of the car.
[01:31.680 -> 01:33.680] And then boy oh boy, Valtteri Bottas.
[01:33.680 -> 01:34.680] Yeah, absolutely.
[01:34.680 -> 01:35.680] He found his way there as well.
[01:35.680 -> 01:37.480] I think it's just a big statement of him.
[01:37.480 -> 01:40.560] Maybe just, he should, I think the next thing he should do is just walk up to the Mercedes
[01:40.560 -> 01:44.320] garage, walk up to Toto Wultz's seat and say, is that the guy you wanted to hire instead
[01:44.320 -> 01:49.360] of me? That is a tremendous performance and of all cars, Kunal, in an Alfa Romeo
[01:49.360 -> 01:54.000] out qualifying Russell and let's not give him too much flack but still, first race in a new
[01:54.000 -> 01:58.880] Mercedes is a tricky car but this is just tremendous from Bottas. It is and you know,
[01:58.880 -> 02:03.520] I tweeted this out saying George Russell was actually doing a Valtteri Bottas in the Mercedes,
[02:03.520 -> 02:10.000] he was only P9. Russell of course, you know, I'm looking forward to see what he says in more detail after qualifying,
[02:10.000 -> 02:14.000] because he said he was trying something different on the outlap in Q3 and that didn't work,
[02:14.000 -> 02:18.600] and that's why he was P9. So interesting how he and Mercedes sort this out in the time to come.
[02:18.600 -> 02:23.600] But yes, him only in P9. And like he said, you know, that, you know, a car has major flaws,
[02:23.600 -> 02:26.600] but to still be the third fastest car is a great deal for a Mercedes.
[02:26.600 -> 02:30.400] Yeah, but the big hero, Kevin Magnussen, you touched upon him immediately at the start
[02:30.400 -> 02:35.920] of this episode, we must bring him back because this just has to be the most crazy F1 story
[02:35.920 -> 02:40.160] of the year. He's just chilling in Florida, comes back in, immediately beats Mick Schumacher.
[02:40.160 -> 02:48.560] Not that it's major competition yet, but to put his car up ahead of Fernando Alonso, to put his car up over so many other drivers who have been doing this for so long, this
[02:48.560 -> 02:51.040] is just, ah, we miss you Kevin.
[02:51.040 -> 02:53.560] Where were you all this while?
[02:53.560 -> 02:55.720] We did, and he had actually a hydraulics issue.
[02:55.720 -> 03:00.040] I was on the radio feed and suddenly Haas is saying, we want you to be really slow,
[03:00.040 -> 03:01.920] be careful, we have a hydraulics issue.
[03:01.920 -> 03:08.480] Let's hope the issue doesn't really cost him much because at the end of the day, of course, he stopped by in Q3. So that was a bit of a concern. He was
[03:08.480 -> 03:14.320] ahead of Mick Schumacher. Mick Schumacher's first real competitive benchmark and he, of course,
[03:14.320 -> 03:20.560] was under pressure, made a mistake. Alex Albon ahead of Nicholas Latifi again. Mazepin no longer
[03:20.560 -> 03:28.840] on the grid. It's about who's going to be the slowest driver. Is it going to be Latifi of all people? And my favorite story, of course, both Aston Martins out in
[03:28.840 -> 03:34.520] Q1, but Nico Hulkenberg, the head of Landstroh, despite all the limited time or literally
[03:34.520 -> 03:38.800] no time that he had in testing. But I'm not surprised, actually, you know, Hulkenberg,
[03:38.800 -> 03:40.280] Landstroh, is that even a question on balance?
[03:40.280 -> 03:43.360] Yeah, exactly. Even though he barely had any time, as you rightly mentioned. So that's
[03:43.360 -> 03:47.600] amazing, right? Goes to show you that, I think the theory that you've been constantly talking about Kunal that
[03:47.600 -> 03:52.800] if you give someone enough time in an F1 car they will end up being decent but when you put them
[03:52.800 -> 03:56.880] against someone like an Nico Hulkenberg you will end up seeing the difference eventually and that's
[03:56.880 -> 04:01.520] what we saw with the Aston Martin but the other biggest surprises on the negative side right we
[04:01.520 -> 04:05.640] have to talk about them Daniel Ricciarardo, once again, I don't know,
[04:05.640 -> 04:07.820] is it the car or is it actually him?
[04:07.820 -> 04:08.880] Because last year we were saying,
[04:08.880 -> 04:10.920] oh, it's a new philosophy, new approach, driving style.
[04:10.920 -> 04:12.720] We can maybe give him the benefit of doubt,
[04:12.720 -> 04:14.960] but this has come back up again.
[04:14.960 -> 04:16.680] Yes, there is limited testing time for him,
[04:16.680 -> 04:18.780] but this is absurd.
[04:18.780 -> 04:19.620] It is absurd.
[04:19.620 -> 04:22.060] And you know, he was very confident and vocal
[04:22.060 -> 04:24.320] in the post-qualifying sessions.
[04:24.320 -> 04:38.000] He said, I know I have the talent, but this time I also know I lack track time. He missed out on the second pre-season test in Bahrain. He had issues in FP2 yesterday, so he was lacking on that front as well.
[04:38.000 -> 04:45.400] But overall, McLaren, they were also a bit of a surprise because Lando Norris was only P13. So it's a lot to do with them, you
[04:45.400 -> 04:49.960] know, pulling together as a team. But yeah, come what may, Ricardo out of Q1 is...
[04:49.960 -> 04:54.840] Yeah, exactly. But also on the plus side, Fernando Alonso getting into the top 10. We
[04:54.840 -> 04:58.280] were all just confused about Alpine, whether they're good, they're not. This is a great
[04:58.280 -> 05:02.280] thing to see. But Kunal, strategies, there could be something different now that the
[05:02.280 -> 05:07.600] Q2 rule is gone. Maybe for once we could see an even more jumbled qualifying, not a qualifying order, but a
[05:07.600 -> 05:11.120] tyre selection order and maybe that could mean for a better race tomorrow.
[05:11.120 -> 05:13.800] But this just makes me ask you about the predictions.
[05:13.800 -> 05:17.360] Now that you've seen qualifying, are you going to change your prediction which was
[05:17.360 -> 05:18.360] Verstappen for pole?
[05:18.360 -> 05:21.480] I mean, of course, that's gone, but are you still going to go for Verstappen for the win?
[05:21.480 -> 05:27.080] I had signs on my list after listening to him in qualifying, which after which he said he wasn't quite confident with the car, you know
[05:27.080 -> 05:32.000] what, maybe I think I'm going to go for Leclerc for the win tomorrow. Are you changing it?
[05:32.000 -> 05:36.360] You know, we have to speak about Sainz as one of the heroes as well because he said
[05:36.360 -> 05:40.400] he's had a tough weekend and he said if he went again, he would find the one tenth that
[05:40.400 -> 05:48.000] he's sort of separated by Charles Leclerc and he was a little disappointed. But I would still go for Max Richtappen for the win.
[05:48.000 -> 05:57.000] He's on the front row. It'll be, I think, his 17th or 18th consecutive point scoring finish.
[05:57.000 -> 06:05.920] He's the world champion. A lot more energy that would be sort of going in, a lot more confidence as well. And guess what,
[06:05.920 -> 06:12.400] the two new generational talents, Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen going head to head in what
[06:12.400 -> 06:16.800] seems like equal or at least competitive machinery, I think that's going to be the story of
[06:17.520 -> 06:21.840] tomorrow's Bahrain Grand Prix. So make sure you guys all tune in. Exactly, there's going to be
[06:21.840 -> 06:27.600] that, there's going to be the question of how good Mercedes are there's gonna be the question of Magnuson, Haas, Bottas if they
[06:27.600 -> 06:31.900] can maintain it what about McLaren so much why would you want to miss that
[06:31.900 -> 06:34.860] race check out the Bahrain Grand Prix tomorrow and also come back to the
[06:34.860 -> 06:39.140] Inside Line F1 podcast for a race review episode on Monday but folks thank you
[06:39.140 -> 06:42.780] for listening to this episode see you right there on Monday evening and we
[06:42.780 -> 06:48.080] shall dissect the Bahrain Grand Prix which is definitely gonna be a very juicy and very meaty race. Thanks for listening. Bye. Bye
[07:04.060 -> 07:06.060] you