Curious About Formula One? Here’s the Rundown from the Opening Race

It’s high-octane stuff.

What is it about Formula One that gets everyone hunched over their smartphones watching the livestream in the middle of class?

Whether you’ve been hearing high praise of popular Netflix show Drive to Survive or are surrounded by fans of the racing comp, you’re probably in need of a debrief.

Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1, is the highest class of international racing. There are generally 19 to 20 ‘Grand Prix’ in a season, yielding one Grand Champion per year. The 2022 season just lifted off on 20 March and we’ve got you covered with deets from the opening race.

The location.

The first race of the season was held in the Persian Gulf off the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia, on the Bahrain International Circuit.

Nestled in the Sakhir desert, this is just one of the many luxurious destinations for the 2022 season (we’re talking Saudi Arabia, Miami and Monaco to name a few).

The contenders.

There’s several big names that kept viewers hooked in the opening race, and have found celebrity in their racing careers. Here’s just some of the names you’ll be seeing a lot of in the next few months.

• Max Verstappen, 24, Netherlands. Competing for Red Bull. World champion.
• Lewis Hamilton, 37, Britain. Competing for Mercedes.
• Charles Leclerc, 24, Monaco. Competing for Ferrari.
• Carlos Sainz, 27, Spain. Competing for Ferrari.
• Daniel Ricciardo, 32, Australia. Competing for McLaren.
• Sergio Perez, 32, Mexico. Competing for Red Bull.

The highlights and lowlights.

Charles Leclerc started first pole—meaning, based on his qualifying races in the weekend leading up to the race, he was placed to start at the front of the pack.

Leclarc then led for almost the entire race, but came under pressure several times by Max Verstappen who overtook him on turns.

Verstappen was in second place on his 54^th lap when he began having issues with his Red Bull car. He was heard yelling “what is going on with the battery?” and eventually had to retire. The issue appeared to be engine-related rather than battery-related.

His Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez, also had to retire after spinning and losing power on the final lap.

BREAKING!!!!!
Sergio Perez did NOT have a mechanical issue. He spun out after hitting a wet spot left by Max Verstappen tears from crying so much.

— Joslin Joseph (@JoslinKJoseph) March 20, 2022

The results.

Ferrari teammates Leclarc and Carlos Sainz took what’s known as a ‘one-two’, finishing first and second respectively.

This is Leclarc’s third victory in F1, and Ferrari’s first win as a team in 46 races, since the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix.

According to Insider, after the race, Leclarc said Ferrari was “starting in the best way possible—pole position, victory, fastest lap, one-two with Carlos—we couldn’t have hoped for any better.”

What’s next.

We’re gonna be treated to another race next week on 28 March on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Saudi Arabia.

You can keep up with all the Formula One goss on the official website. And check out our 2016 interview with Daniel Ricciardo here!