Carlos Sainz (P2, 18 pts): 8.5/10
Expectations were high at Ferrari coming into the new season. They always are of course, but this time there was some evidence to support the idea that one of Formula 1's most historic and iconic squads was finally back on form after its recent slump. While Pierre Gasly stole the show in FP1 it was soon clear that the two Ferraris were very much in the mix, with Charles Leclerc just a whisker ahead of Carlos Sainz. Only reigning champion Max Verstappen was running at the same level heading into qualifying, and most expected the Red Bull to have something extra in reserve for when it was needed. It turned out that it didn't, and Leclerc beat Verstappen to pole while Sainz beat Sergio Perez to third place. With Verstappen jabbing at Leclerc ahead and Perez briefly succumbing to Lewis Hamilton behind, Sainz had a relatively easy start to the race and soon secured a stranglehold on third and on the podium, but he was unable to match the pace of the front runners and gradually fell away. A safety car closed things up again but he couldn't benefit at the restart. Instead, he was mesmerised by the warning lights on the back of the Red Bull suggesting something was seriously wrong. Sure enough Verstappen was soon lumbering back to pit lane even as Perez stopped on track further back with problems of his own, leaving the team celebrating he first Ferrari 1-2 success since Singapore in 2019.
Charles Leclerc (Pole, P1, Fastest Lap, 26 pts): 10/10
Normally it's several races into the season before we're even remotely tempted to hand out a perfect ten out of ten driver rating, but try as we might we can't find any reason not to recognise Charles Leclerc's superb achievement this week in Bahrain. Last year had been what people like to call 'character building' for the Monegasque as he ended up second best to his newly arrived team mate Carlos Sainz, and it felt like 2022 would be a defining moment in the 24-year-old's F1 career. Would he be up to it? He's answered the question in no uncertain terms picking up second place in all three practice sessions and missing out to Max Verstappen by just 0.087s and 0.096s in FP2 and FP2 respectively, Even so it was a surprise when he successfully swept to pole in qualifying. Verstappen didn't take that well and immediately went on the attack when the lights went out in the race, but time again Leclerc was able to parry the Red Bull and keep hold of the lead, forcing Verstappen into submission with worn tyres and spiralling brake temperatures. Long before the RB18's problems became terminal, Leclerc had stamped his authority on proceedings and assured himself of a famous victory, his first since Italy in 2019. He, his team mate, the Scuderia, and not to mention a few million Tifosi around the globe could not have been more delighted about the start to this new season.
