Leclerc Puts Ferrari on Top as Mercedes Unveils Radical W13 in Bahrain F1 Testing

The highly anticipated second Formula 1 pre-season test session commenced in Bahrain with Charles Leclerc steering his Ferrari F1-75 to the top of the timesheets during Thursday morning’s running. His impressive performance signals Ferrari’s strong intent for the upcoming 2022 season, building on their promising showing in the earlier Barcelona test. The session also saw the dramatic unveiling of Mercedes’ radically revised W13 car, immediately capturing the attention of the paddock and fans alike.

Leclerc, driving with confidence and precision, recorded the fastest lap of 1’34.531 around the Bahrain International Circuit. This stellar time placed him a significant half-second ahead of the field, reinforcing Ferrari’s position as an early front-runner in the new regulatory era. The F1-75 appeared well-balanced and responsive, allowing Leclerc to extract maximum performance from the new Pirelli tyres.

A surprising second place went to Alexander Albon, who demonstrated solid pace in the Williams FW44. Despite an early interruption due to a “hot seat” issue causing him discomfort, Albon quickly returned to the track, completing a commendable 53 laps. Williams’ strong performance in testing, albeit early, provides a glimmer of hope for the team as they aim to climb up the constructors’ standings this year. The fact that Albon was able to be so competitive hints at potential underlying strengths in the FW44, or perhaps a particularly effective testing program focused on early performance validation.

Veteran driver Sebastian Vettel secured the third-fastest time for Aston Martin, ahead of Sergio Perez in the Red Bull RB18 and Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes W13. The diverse mix of teams at the sharp end of the timings underscores the competitive nature of the 2022 regulations, which aim to level the playing field and promote closer racing. While testing times are notoriously unreliable indicators of true race pace, they do offer valuable insights into each team’s progress and potential.

The morning session proved highly productive for most participating teams, with extensive running and only one planned pause for a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) system test in the closing ten minutes. This controlled interruption allowed teams to practice VSC procedures, a critical element of race weekend operations, ensuring drivers and pit crews are well-drilled for dynamic race scenarios. The overall smooth running of the session allowed teams to log significant mileage and gather crucial data on their new cars, essential for understanding the intricate aerodynamics and tyre characteristics of the 2022 challengers.

Despite the generally smooth running, a common challenge observed across the grid was drivers struggling with brake lock-ups. The low-grip surface of the Bahrain International Circuit, combined with the characteristics of the new-generation cars and larger wheels, presented a stern test for braking stability. The notoriously tight, downhill left-hander of Turn 10 proved particularly tricky, catching out several prominent drivers including Hamilton, Vettel, Perez, and Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu. Mastering these new braking points and car dynamics will be key as teams fine-tune their setups for the season opener.

Mercedes Unveils Daring ‘Sidepod-less’ W13 Design

The most significant talking point of the morning was undoubtedly the dramatic reveal of Mercedes’ updated W13. Lewis Hamilton was the first to take the radically modified car onto the circuit, completing a substantial 62 laps. The new design immediately stood out for its almost non-existent sidepods, a stark departure from conventional F1 car aesthetics and a bold interpretation of the new aerodynamic regulations. This “sidepod-less” concept aims to optimize airflow to the rear of the car, particularly benefiting the crucial floor area which now generates the majority of downforce through ground effect.

The engineering philosophy behind this extreme design is a clear attempt by Mercedes to push the boundaries of the new technical rules, seeking to unlock significant performance advantages. By drastically shrinking the sidepods, the team appears to be maximizing the surface area of the floor and rear diffuser, potentially creating a highly efficient aerodynamic package. During the session, Hamilton’s car was briefly observed with electrical tape loosely flapping on its side, an interesting detail suggesting the team was actively testing and modifying the effects of covering up various vents on the car’s bodywork. Such meticulous testing of airflow and cooling management is typical in pre-season, especially with such a novel concept.

This aggressive design choice by Mercedes, a team renowned for its innovative engineering, highlights the intense development race spurred by the new 2022 regulations. While the full impact of this “sidepod-less” approach remains to be seen on track in competitive conditions, it certainly provides a fascinating glimpse into the diverse interpretations of the rulebook and the potential for significant performance differentiation among teams this season. Competitors will undoubtedly be scrutinizing every detail of the W13, assessing its potential and considering how to counter or adapt to this new benchmark in aerodynamic philosophy.

Team Updates: Haas Delay and Ricciardo’s Absence

Among the teams, Haas was the only one absent from the morning session. Their delayed freight plane, which only arrived in Bahrain the previous night, prevented them from setting up and preparing their VF-22 in time. This unfortunate setback costs the team valuable track time, which is particularly critical given the compressed nature of pre-season testing. However, the team anticipates that reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi will be able to take the VF-22 out for its first laps in the afternoon session, allowing them to finally begin their testing program.

Meanwhile, there was a last-minute change to the McLaren driver lineup. Daniel Ricciardo was originally scheduled to drive the MCL36, but he was replaced by teammate Lando Norris after the team reported the Australian driver was unwell. While the exact nature of his illness was not specified, the team will be hoping for a swift recovery for Ricciardo, as uninterrupted driver feedback is crucial during these early testing phases. Norris, therefore, took on additional duties, ensuring McLaren could continue its testing schedule without major disruption.

Looking ahead to the afternoon session, Carlos Sainz Jnr was set to take over the Ferrari F1-75 from the impressive Leclerc, continuing Ferrari’s comprehensive testing plan. Similarly, George Russell would step into the radically updated Mercedes W13, providing a fresh perspective on its handling and performance characteristics. These driver swaps are standard practice in testing, allowing teams to gather feedback from multiple drivers and validate car behavior across different driving styles and preferences. The afternoon session promised more intense running and further insights into the evolving pecking order for the 2022 Formula 1 season.

2022 F1 Pre-Season Test Day Four Morning Session Times:

Pos.	Car number	Driver	Team	Model	Best time	Gap	Laps
1	16	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	F1-75	1’34.531		64
2	23	Alexander Albon	Williams	FW44	1’35.070	0.539	53
3	5	Sebastian Vettel	Aston Martin	AMR22	1’35.706	1.175	38
4	11	Sergio Perez	Red Bull	RB18	1’35.977	1.446	70
5	44	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes	W13	1’36.365	1.834	62
6	31	Esteban Ocon	Alpine	A522	1’36.768	2.237	42
7	24	Guanyu Zhou	Alfa Romeo	C42	1’37.164	2.633	54
8	4	Lando Norris	McLaren	MCL36	1’37.580	3.049	21
9	10	Pierre Gasly	AlphaTauri	AT03	1’37.888	3.357	44

More on the 2022 F1 season:

• Mercedes told me “you’re wrong” about 2022 car’s problems – Hamilton
• FIA confirms all 10 F1 teams complied with 2022 cost cap
• Steiner “not ashamed” of panning “slow” Schumacher in Drive to Survive
• Albon believes year out of F1 improved him as a driver
• Hamilton sees diversity gains in F1 years on from his ‘traumatising’ experience of racism

Browse all 2022 F1 season articles