The 2022 Formula 🌱1 season is finally here as the action gets underway at the Bahrain Inte✅rnational Circuit.

Over the years, Bahrain has been great for wheel-to-wheel action so the Sakhir circuit will be a great w🐽ay to introduce F1's new era of cars.

The cars are c💫ompletely different for this year with new technical regulations introduced to level the playing field and make overtaking easier.

The same teams appear to be at the front with Red Bull enjoying a strong second pre-se꧃ason test as Max Verstappen looks to defend the drivers' championship.

The Dutchman set a number of blistering l🐻🐬aps on the final day of F1 testing in Bahrain when Red Bull introduced some new upgrades.

Ferrari had its best pre-season campaign in years with Charles Lecওlerc and Carlos Sainz consistently at the front of the timesheets.

The💫 Scuderia hasn't won since 2019 nor has it tasted championship glory since 2008.

Eight-time constructors' champions Mercedes appears to be on the back foot going into Bahraꦇin with it most affected by po꧒rpoising - the bouncing movement at high speed.

McLaren is bes🐻t placed to challenge outside the top three teams after coming away from Barcelona very confident.

However, the Woking outfit struggled in Bahrain due to a recurring brake 🅰issue which curtailed the team's running.

The team was also impacted by Daniel Ricciardo's absence after he tested positive for COVID-19🧸.

The midfield is impossible to predict with Haas and Alfa Romeo showing impressive pace at times, while Alpine, Aston Martin and AlphaTauri have traditionally led the midfield in recent y🦄ears.

Recent Bahrain GP winners:

2021 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

2020 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

2019 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

2018 - Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)

2017 - Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)

2016 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)

2015 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)