F1 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Free Practice Results (1)

Results from the first practice session at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Round 2 of the 2022 Formula 1 world championship.
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W13.
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W13.
© xpbimages.com
2022 F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - FREE PRACTICE RESULTS (1)
PosDriverNat.TeamTime
1Charles LeclercMONScuderia Ferrari1m30.722s
2Max VerstappenNEDOracle Red Bull Racing1m30.888s
3Valtteri BottasFINAlfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen1m31.084s
4Carlos SainzESPScuderia Ferrari1m31.139s
5Pierre GaslyFRAScuderia AlphaTauri1m31.317s
6Yuki TsunodaJPNScuderia AlphaTauri1m31.505s
7Sergio PerezMEXOracle Bull Racing1m31.563s
8Esteban OconFRABWT Alpine F1 Team1m32.026s
9Lewis HamiltonGBRMercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team1m32.364s
10Fernando AlonsoESPBWT Alpine F1 Team1m32.381s
11Daniel RicciardoAUSMcLaren F1 Team1m32.506s
12Lance StrollCANAston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team1m32.582s
13Lando NorrisGBRMcLaren F1 Team1m32.594s
14Guanyu ZhouCHNAlfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen1m32.608s
15George RussellGBRMercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team1m32.839s
16Nico HulkenbergGERAston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team1m33.034s
17Alexander AlbonTHAWilliams Racing1m33.087s
18Nicholas LatifiCANWilliams Racing1m33.529s
19Mick SchumacherGERHaas F1 Team1m34.429s
20Kevin MagnussenDENHaas F1 TeamNo Time Set

Formula 1 returns to Saudi Arabia just over three months since its inaugural race at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

The first-ever race in Saudi Arabia was a thriller with title rivals Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton going head-to-head for the race victory.

The pair came to blows on more than one occasion with Hamilton ultimately taking the victory, even though he had a damaged front wing after hitting the back of Verstappen who was deemed to have brake tested the seven-time champion.

Looking ahead to this weekend, Ferrari will go into the race with great confidence after taking a 1-2 finish at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

Charles Leclerc won from pole position ahead of teammate Carlos Sainz to claim Ferrari's first win since 2019.

Mercedes secured a 3-4 after both Red Bulls retired from the race in the closing laps due to a fuel pump-related issue.

Haas and Alfa Romeo enjoyed their best races in some time with Kevin Magnussen and Valtteri Bottas finishing inside the top six. 

On the other hand, McLaren and Williams endured very difficult races as they battled Williams at the back of the grid.

All of the Mercedes-powered teams struggled for straight-line speed in Bahrain but it's still early days to say whether the German manufacturer has taken a step back in engine performance.

The Jeddah circuit has undergone some minor changes in a bid to improve safety, particularly at some of the tight corners which are blind for the drivers.

It's likely to be another battle between Red Bull and Ferrari at the front.

Recent Saudi Arabian GP winners:

2021 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

Read More