• Lewis Hamilton during the first day of Formula One pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit on Thursday, March 10, 2022. AFP
    Lewis Hamilton during the first day of Formula One pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit on Thursday, March 10, 2022. AFP
  • Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton during the first day of Formula One pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit. AFP
    Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton during the first day of Formula One pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit. AFP
  • AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly drives during the first day of Formula One pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit. AFP
    AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly drives during the first day of Formula One pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit. AFP
  • Red Bull driver Sergio Perez during the first day of Formula One pre-season testing. AFP
    Red Bull driver Sergio Perez during the first day of Formula One pre-season testing. AFP
  • Alpine driver Fernando Alonso speaks with Red Bull's Max Verstappen. AFP
    Alpine driver Fernando Alonso speaks with Red Bull's Max Verstappen. AFP
  • Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc drives during the first day of Formula One pre-season testing. AFP
    Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc drives during the first day of Formula One pre-season testing. AFP
  • Haas drivers Mick Schumacher and Kevin Magnussen. AFP
    Haas drivers Mick Schumacher and Kevin Magnussen. AFP
  • Alfa Romeo driver Zhou Guanyu on track during F1 testing. Getty Images
    Alfa Romeo driver Zhou Guanyu on track during F1 testing. Getty Images
  • Left to right: Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz Jr, George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. AFP
    Left to right: Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz Jr, George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. AFP
  • Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. AFP
    Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. AFP
  • Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz Jr, George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. AFP
    Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz Jr, George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. AFP
  • AlphaTauri drivers Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda. AFP
    AlphaTauri drivers Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda. AFP
  • Lewis Hamilton speaks with Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas. AFP
    Lewis Hamilton speaks with Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas. AFP
  • Drivers pose for photos during the first day of F1 pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit. AFP
    Drivers pose for photos during the first day of F1 pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit. AFP
  • Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. AFP
    Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. AFP
  • Lewis Hamilton greets Valtteri Bottas at the Bahrain International Circuit. AFP
    Lewis Hamilton greets Valtteri Bottas at the Bahrain International Circuit. AFP
  • The cars are parked on the starting grid during the first day of testing at the Bahrain International Circuit. AFP
    The cars are parked on the starting grid during the first day of testing at the Bahrain International Circuit. AFP
  • Drivers pose on the starting grid during the first day of Formula One pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit. AFP
    Drivers pose on the starting grid during the first day of Formula One pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit. AFP
  • Red Bull driver Sergio Perez. Getty Images
    Red Bull driver Sergio Perez. Getty Images
  • Drivers pose on the starting grid. AFP
    Drivers pose on the starting grid. AFP

Hamilton and Verstappen set to renew rivalry as F1 pre-season testing begins in Bahrain


  • English
  • Arabic

Preparations for the 2022 Formula One season continued on Wednesday as pre-season testing got underway at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Following three days of pre-season track work in Spain last month, testing in Bahrain gives the teams and drivers the final chance to prepare for the new season, which begins at the same venue next week.

On the first of the three days in Bahrain, drivers posed for photos on the grid before getting to grips with their cars on the track. Red Bull's reigning world champion Max Verstappen and Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton were among the drivers present at the circuit, as well as a few new faces at new teams.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton was joined by new teammate George Russell, while Kevin Magnussen has returned to Haas after the team terminated the contract of Russian driver Nikita Mazepin.

Check out the best photos from the morning session of Day 1 of pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

Updated: March 10, 2022, 9:34 AM