2022 F1 Saudi Arabian GP FP1 and FP2: What did we learn?

So the first day of the Saudi Arabian GP weekend is done and dusted. Both the FP1 and FP2 sessions featured Charles Leclerc topping the timesheets with Max Verstappen following him.Formula 1@F1 FP1 CLASSIFICATION Leclerc followed by Verstappen... again Bottas and Alfa Romeo in P3🤕 K-Mag w/ mechanical issue#SaudiArabianGP #F18:35 AM · Mar 25, 2022141281452🏁 FP1 CLASSIFICATION 🏁🔝 Leclerc followed by Verstappen... again 😅🙌 Bottas and Alfa Romeo in P3🤕 K-Mag w/ mechanical issue#SaudiArabianGP #F1 https://t.co/pn9gchD7q0The sessions were surprisingly straightforward because the track can be unforgiving at times and we didn't have that many stoppages in the session. Having said that, what did we learn on the very first day of the Saudi Arabian GP? Let's find out.#1 F1 needs a rethink on the Saudi Arabian GPLC@LappedCars🗣️| Mohammed Ben Sulayem:&quot;They are targeting the infrastructure, not the civilians, and, of course, not the track. We've checked the facts and we've got assurances from the highest level that this is a secure place. Let's go on racing.&quot;[@PhilDuncanF1] #F11:56 AM · Mar 26, 2022946🗣️| Mohammed Ben Sulayem:&quot;They are targeting the infrastructure, not the civilians, and, of course, not the track. We've checked the facts and we've got assurances from the highest level that this is a secure place. Let's go on racing.&quot;[@PhilDuncanF1] #F1There was a missile attack just 10kms away from the circuit. It's far too close for comfort. It is at this point that F1 needs to be proactive. In principle, we should not be going ahead with the Saudi Arabian GP. There's just too much instability in the country and human rights violation news that keeps seeping through the cracks.The country does not scream of an ecosystem that is conducive for an F1 race. Yet, teams and drivers willingly/unwillingly have to go ahead and race under these circumstances. The whole situation reeks of the &quot;Cash is King&quot; mentality and it does not paint a positive global image of F1.#2 Ferrari and Red Bull are closeHitting The Apex (5RSN)@F1_5ReasonsPractice 2 notes:- @KevinMagnussen / @HaasF1Team power unit/hydraulic issues. (Did not finish the session.)- @MercedesAMGF1 adjustments to @LewisHamilton car seat. - @Charles_Leclerc touched the wall. Damage on the front suspension. #SaudiArabiaGP | @5ReasonsSports11:28 AM · Mar 25, 202256Practice 2 notes:- @KevinMagnussen / @HaasF1Team power unit/hydraulic issues. (Did not finish the session.)- @MercedesAMGF1 adjustments to @LewisHamilton car seat. - @Charles_Leclerc touched the wall. Damage on the front suspension. #SaudiArabiaGP | @5ReasonsSportsMoving on from the stuff off the track, let's talk about what happened on it. During the two practice sessions, it did become clear that both Red Bull and Ferrari have great underlying pace and no other team can match them.Although the two cars behaved very differently from each other during practice, one of the key takeaways was that while Ferrari still suffered a bit from porpoising, Red Bull suffered the least. Red Bull look better on track while Ferrari have been pulling out the better time.Since Leclerc had less than optimal soft tire runs while Verstappen did not complete a representative time on that set, everyone is still in the dark about where the two teams are compared to each other.#3 McLaren seems to have made a step forwardMcLaren@McLarenF1Finding the limits on the streets of Jeddah in FP2. The session ends and Friday practice is over. Lando P7Daniel P15#SaudiArabianGP 11:50 AM · Mar 25, 20225149176Finding the limits on the streets of Jeddah in FP2. The session ends and Friday practice is over. 🏁 Lando 🇬🇧 P7Daniel 🇦🇺 P15#SaudiArabianGP 🇸🇦 https://t.co/924eHojfLsLando Norris was sneakily impressive during the free practice sessions but it all came to light when he had the opportunity to put on the soft tire and go on a qualifying simulation. Norris put together a lap that was a tenth slower than the Mercedes.The Woking-based squad suffered massively with the brake overheating issues at the Bahrain GP. With a change in layout here for the Saudi Arabian GP, would it be possible for the team to not face the same issues and find itself back in midfield contention? Early impressions do indicate that.#4 The porpoising on Mercedes is painful to watchMercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team@MercedesAMGF1 &quot;We know the W13 has potential, and we need to continue learning.&quot; Check out Toto's #SaudiArabianGP preview. 11:42 AM · Mar 24, 20223238168💬 &quot;We know the W13 has potential, and we need to continue learning.&quot; 💪Check out Toto's #SaudiArabianGP preview. 👇One of the highlights of the first day at the Saudi Arabian GP was the extent of work Mercedes was willing to do with the new car. And having said that, it was almost painful to watch Lewis Hamilton and George Russell navigating their way through the excessive bouncing faced by the car.The Mercedes car needs a major overhaul to get it back into a position where it can challenge for podiums and wins. For now, though, the team has to focus on 'damage limitations' for this race just like it did in Bahrain.#5 The circuit is unforgiving for driversFormula 1@F1FP2 Classification (60/60 mins) Leclerc goes quickest, Verstappen not far behind#SaudiArabianGP #F111:52 AM · Mar 25, 2022116171044FP2 Classification (60/60 mins) Leclerc goes quickest, Verstappen not far behind#SaudiArabianGP #F1 https://t.co/wbexNoEn49The F2 race qualifying saw multiple stoppages with Red Flags, while Charles Leclerc, the winner of the season-opener, damaged his front suspension in FP2. The track is conducive to too many accidents and while on one side that's a good thing in terms of action, it means that the drivers will have to be on their A-game all the time.Neither qualifying nor the race for the Saudi Arabian GP is going to be a straightforward affair this weekend. As predicted earlier in our preview, expect a chaotic weekend this time around.

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