| The first practice sessions for F1 2022 are in the book in Bahrain and Red Bull’s world champion Max Verstappen led the way – but only just. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was best of the rest, backed up by his teammate Carlos Sainz, while Mercedes didn’t exactly get off to a flying start – despite George Russell ending the day in fourth. His illustrious teammate Lewis Hamilton was down in ninth place and struggling with his new car’s porpoising and brakes. We knew there would be teething problems with this new breed of ground-effect car and there is clearly work to do at the reigning constructors’ champions. Has the pecking order been set? We won’t really know until qualifying on Saturday – don’t miss it! By: Charles Bradley, Global Editor in Chief
Motorsport.com | 
