Summary

  • Leclerc wins, with Sainz 2nd in Ferrari one-two

  • Multiple overtakes as Leclerc and Verstappen fight for lead

  • Both Red Bulls retire late on

  • First race of new car design era

  • Gasly, Verstappen, Perez out

Live Reporting

Michael Emons

  1. Kevin Magnussen locks up his tyres and that opens the door for Sergio Perez to move above him and back into fifth.

  2. How it stands

    1. Leclerc (Ferrari)
    2. Verstappen (Red Bull) +1.1
    3. Sainz (Ferrari) +2.7
    4. Hamilton (Mercedes) +3.6
    5. Magnussen (Haas) +4.2
    6. Perez (Red Bull) +5.1
    7. Russell (Mercedes) +6.3
    8. Gasly (Alpha Tauri) +7.8
    9. Alonso (Alpine) + 9.4
    10. Ocon (Alpine) +10.1
    Charles LeclercGetty Images

  3. Sam Bird
    Formula E driver on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    Really important start from Lewis Hamilton and also for Ferrari that Hamilton got ahead of Sergio Perez because strategy wise that could play into Ferrari's hands.

  4. Valtteri Bottas is the big loser from the start, dropping from sixth to 14th. He would've been desperate for a good start after being booted out of Mercedes and now in the Alfa Romeo, but he's lost eight spots.

  5. Great start for Lewis Hamilton, who jumps from fifth to fourth. Kevin Magnussen also jumps Sergio Perez, who has dropped from fourth to sixth.

    George Russell springs from ninth to seventh and that is some good news for Mercedes.

  6. Jennie Gow
    BBC Radio 5 live pit-lane reporter

    Worth noting that Charles Leclerc is running a new soft tyre when all those around him are running a used soft tyre - that could be worth something when he is starting off pole position.

  7. Max Verstappen pulls alongside Charles Leclerc, who covers off the attack. Lewis Hamilton makes a move on Sergio Perez, up into fourth.

  8. Go! Go! Go!

    The 2022 Formula 1 season is under way! Let's hope it's as thrilling as 2021.

    WE'RE RACING....

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  10. Sam Bird
    Formula E driver on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    The McLaren boss said they didn't know whether the soft tyre would be good enough for long enough, so he was worried about the life of the soft tyre, which indicated they would be starting on the mediums.

  11. Formation lap time and everyone gets away, which is always a good start.

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  12. Everyone is on the soft tyre (you no longer have to use the tyres you were on in Q2), apart from the McLaren pair of Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo who need to work some strategy magic to get themselves into the points after disappointing qualifying sessions.

  13. The first race of 2022. Can't wait. Minutes away.

  14. How they start the Bahrain GP

    This is how we will line up for the first race of the 2022 Formula 1 season...

    • 1. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
    • 2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
    • 3. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
    • 4. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
    • 5. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
    • 6. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo)
    • 7. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
    • 8. Fernando Alonso (Alpine)
    • 9. George Russell (Mercedes)
    • 10. Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri)
    • 11. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
    • 12. Mick Schumacher (Haas)
    • 13. Lando Norris (McLaren)
    • 14. Alexander Albon (Williams)
    • 15. Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo)
    • 16. Yuki Tsunoda (Alpha Tauri)
    • 17. Nico Hulkenberg (Aston Martin)
    • 18. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren)
    • 19. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
    • 20. Nicholas Latifi (Williams)

  15. 'Leclerc will want to stamp his authority on the championship'

    Sam Bird
    Formula E driver on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    You want to start your year with a bang. You want to stamp your authority on this championship and prove to Max Verstappen - I am here to fight, I am here to take the fight to Red Bull and yourself - that's what Charles Leclerc and Ferrari will be trying to do.

  16. 'We need to make the first corner'

    Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto speaking about the team's promising form on Sky Sports F1 during the pre-race pit walk: "I am happy for the team, we were hoping for it but certainly it was difficult for us to achieve it.

    "The power unit is as competitive as the others and all teams can count on it.

    "We will try to maximise our effort and result. Hopefully we can fight for each other and see how the race will evolve. First we need to make the first corner and see what we can do after that."

    It seems we should watch out for the first corner - Red Bull team principal Christian Horner promised it would be "box office" during his pit walk interview.

  17. 'We are not competitive'

    Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff speaking on Sky Sports F1: "It is a learning process for us - every lap we discover how we can optimise the car.

    "We believe the car has potential but the regulations are so different we are learning step by step. We understand better how to get rid of the bouncing. Today is a another test for us.

    "We have had long runs, some good and bad, it is a test. We are not competitive, we are not where we want to be, fighting for victories, so we have to have a look at the car and see what we can do."

  18. Get Involved

    #bbcf1

    Laura DS: I have butterflies waiting for the race to start. What must the drivers feel - especially first timers like Zhou? Exciting.

    Argyle Jack: I'm ready let's do this. Haas double points here we come.

  19. New FIA president - Mohammed Ben Sulayem...

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  20. Thumbs up from Formula 1's super sub Nico Hulkenberg, stepping in for the stricken Sebastian Vettel.

    Hulkenberg reminded us all of his talent yesterday, instantly out qualifying team-mate Lance Stroll.

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