Bahrain Grand Prix: Pierre Gasly tops charts at opening practice of 2022 Formula 1 season

Pierre Gasly set the pace in the first free practice session ahead of this weekend's season opener at the Bahrain Grand Prix. It was a tricky session to negotiate for the drivers with a heavy wind affecting the balance of the cars, something which caught out Ferrari's Charles Leclerc as he went for a spin on the exit of turn 11.

Ad/> New Mercedes recruit George Russell was another driver to complain about the wind, claiming the car «felt very affected» by it as he set the fourth fastest time of the session on the soft compound tyre. Formula 1Russell predicts Mercedes battle: 'Red Bull and Ferrari are our main rivals'33 MINUTES AGO After losing a huge chunk of his sidepod just eight minutes into the session, Esteban Ocon ended up 12th quickest.

Valtteri Bottas was not so lucky as he had a misfire that the Alfa Romeo squad just could not resolve. The second free practice session is going to be vitally important for him.

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