Verstappen Dominates Pre-Season Testing, Alonso Shines for Alpine
Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen concluded pre-season testing in bahrain just as he began the 2021 season – at the top. The Red Bull driver set the fastest time on the final day, clocking in at 1:31.720, the quickest lap of the entire testing period. This performance came despite encountering some challenges during the sessions.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc trailed Verstappen by 0.695 seconds, securing second place. Fernando Alonso,the two-time world champion,delivered a remarkable performance for Alpine,claiming third place with a late surge in the final minutes. Alonso’s notable lap time of 1:32.415 propelled him ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell.
Alonso’s strong showing marked a positive day for Alpine, with the Spaniard completing an impressive 122 laps. This performance suggests that the French team has made important strides and their car is capable of maintaining a competitive race pace. Notably, Alonso achieved the highest top speed recorded during the tests, reaching 317 km/h in various sectors.
While Alonso’s teammate Esteban Ocon finished 11th, Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, struggled in the morning session, ending 17th after 78 laps. Hamilton expressed concerns about Mercedes’ readiness for the season opener, stating they are not yet in a position to fight for victory.
The pre-season tests have provided valuable insights into the potential pecking order for the 2022 season. However, the true performance of each team will only be revealed when the lights go out for the Bahrain Grand Prix next weekend.
With the first race of the season looming, anticipation is building for what promises to be an exciting and unpredictable championship.
I’m excited too welcome Michael Schumacher Jr. to the show today! michael, a formidable driver himself, follows in the footsteps of his legendary father, and he’s here to share his insights on the pre-season testing results that have everyone talking.
Welcome to the show, michael!
Michael Schumacher Jr.: thanks for having me. always a pleasure to chat about Formula 1.
let’s dive right in. Max verstappen, just like in 2021, seems to be setting the pace. He topped the charts in Bahrain, but perhaps more importantly, he did so despite encountering some challenges during testing. Does this early dominance worry you as a competitor, or is it too early to draw conclusions?
Michael Schumacher Jr.: It’s definitely remarkable to see Max pick up where he left off. Red Bull and Honda clearly have a strong package again. But pre-season testing is all about gathering data and understanding the car. Every team has its own testing program, focusing on diffrent aspects. We need to see how things unfold during the race weekend. Ferrari looked swift too, and don’t forget about Mercedes. They’ve historically been masters of making notable strides between testing and the first race.
Absolutely, Mercedes’ past performance in the early part of the season shouldn’t be discounted.Lewis Hamilton, however, sounded quite concerned about thier readiness after a challenging morning session. He expressed doubts about their
ability to compete for victory in bahrain. Is that just a tactic to keep rivals guessing, or are you genuinely concerned about Mercedes’ form?
Michael Schumacher Jr.: Lewis is renowned for his competitive spirit and his desire to never underestimate his opponents. I think he’s being honest about the challenges they’re facing. But they’re Mercedes, and they have the resources and the talent to turn things around quickly.
I want to shift gears now to Fernando Alonso’s remarkable performance. He put in a stunning late surge to secure third place for Alpine, even eclipsing George Russell. What are your thoughts on Alonso’s continued brilliance,even at this stage in his career?
Michael Schumacher Jr.: His performance was simply breathtaking, wasn’t it? He’s a true legend. What impresses me most is his consistency and his ability to extract every bit of performance from the car. The fact that he achieved the highest top speed during testing is a testament to his skill and experience. Alpine seems to have made significant strides,and I wouldn’t be surprised if they become a consistent force this season.
Let’s open this up to our audience now. What are your thoughts on the pre-season testing results? Do you think
Mercedes can bounce back, or will Red Bull and Ferrari be the teams to beat in 2022? We’d love to hear your predictions in the comment section below!
