A Plausible Scenario for the Opening Labs of the 2022 F1 Bahrain GP
I had a trustworthy dream about the opening lap of tomorrow's race.
Picture this:
-> Event: F1 Bahrain GP
-> Location: Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain
-> Date: Sunday, 20 MAR 2022
-> 6:15 PM Local Time...
THUMP
THUMP
THUMP
THUMP
THUMP
…
Lights out and away we go! Charles Leclerc explodes from the poll; the new generation of Formula 1 is underway, finally. Charles’ Ferrari and Max Verstappen’s Redbull are quick off the line. Indeed everyone seems to get off the line well as the barrel towards Turn 1. It’s tight into the breaking zone, but VER beats LEC to the apex, sending the Ferrari off-line. Much closer to the racing line, the Max takes advantage and ahead as they exit Turn 2. LEC’s slow T1 backs up Sainz, forcing Perez wide and out of position. The Mexican shuffles back into the midfield, out of shot. The battle is on for P2. The two Ferrari teammates are wheel to wheel! It’s clean at first, but they can’t expect to stay this close without giving up track position. The fight continues, surely this …
… And they touch! Leclerc is out of the race. Sainz tumbles down the order as he starts his limp into the pits - it’ll be a new front wing for the Spaniard, surely not the start he wanted. VER avoided contact, but certainly lost some time battling with Leclerc.
Things settle down through the second sector as the midfield sorts itself out. The entire front half of the field must still be within two seconds of the leader, you think. Woah. Verstappen leads the pack. Everyone is clean as the head into the last part of the lap. Now the final corner…
A puff of white smoke! The silver car cuts in aggressively. Verstappen has run wide! They’re side by side now as they power down towards the Start-Finish line. As they battle, you notice the order update back and forth. VER leads as they cross the line, if only for a moment. Whose lead will stick?
At the same time, you begin to notice the commentary. Crofty seems to be unpeeling himself from the ceiling: “He’s on the hunt!” This race is nuts, you think. “… Sir Lewis Hamilton navigates the tricky turn 1-turn 2 section.”
You hate when people call him Sir Lewis.
You glance at the order, once, then twice. This time you freeze.
Huh?! You’re confused. What year is it? Dread it, run from it. HAM VER BOT arrives all the same.
You comprehend. Confusion turns to frustration. This can’t be happening.
Sit down, says a little voice in your head. You’ve seen this story before. What on earth do you have to fear?
Lance jerks out of his dream. It’s morning in the Bahraini desert. A great day to go racing. What do I have to fear? It’s time to get to work. Lance pivots, puts his feet on the ground; stands up; and calls Dad.