Ferrari's strength and Safety Car karma: British press react to Bahrain GP

After a dramatic and highly entertaining opening Grand Prix to the 2022 Formula One season in Bahrain, Charles Leclerc has emerge the victor, with Carlos Sainz following him closely behind to make it a Ferrari one-two. Lewis Hamilton made a surprise podium appearance after both Red Bull drivers retired in the closing moments with engine issues. Here's how the British Press reacted to the season-opener:

The Daily Mail

The Daily Mail focuses on the uncanny coincidence of the Safety Car being deployed in the closing stages of the opening race of the season, but unlike last year's finale in Abu Dhabi, it was Red Bull who faced woes. "KARMA: five letters, meaning good or bad luck, viewed as resulting from one’s actions. And so, with 11 laps remaining in the inaugural round of the 2022 Formula One season in Bahrain, a safety car entered the scene, just as it had that unforgettable occasion 98 nights earlier when Lewis Hamilton was cruelly denied an eighth world title."

"Verstappen, grappling with a steering impediment which may have dulled his attack on Leclerc, complained of a battery problem. Next thing, he was into the pits. His evening was over, after all the team’s high confidence that they would start the campaign wiping the floor with everyone."

BBC Sport

For BBC, the strength and confidence of Ferrari and Leclerc defined the race, looking to be in form unsees since the mid-200s. "Leclerc's consummate victory - a drive that had pace, control, maturity, coolness and aggression - has put him in a strong position but it means little at the start of F1's longest ever season other than one very important point: Ferrari are back with a bang."

The Guardian

Ferrari's unrivalled strength and pace was the focus for The Guardian, writing "For Ferrari, their car is, on the form of this opening weekend, one of the best they have produced since they last won the drivers’ title with Kimi Räikkönen in 2007. This is the first win for the team since Sebastian Vettel claimed victory at Singapore in 2019 – an age in the storied history of the Scuderia – and their first one-two at the opening meeting since Bahrain in 2010."

The Sun

The Sun writes on the struggles of Mercedes in the opening race of the season, the team barely managed to land on the podium after the Red Bulls of Verstappen and Perez were forced to retire. "Mercedes have had a rough start to the 2022 Formula One season. The team under-performed during the pre season testing sessions in Barcelona and Bahrain, leading many fans to wonder if they would be able to compete this year. They were third best in qualifying on Saturday with George Russell - who eventually finished fourth - settling for P9 and Hamilton P5. Red Bull and Ferrari have both been the quickest on track so far, but any upgrades from Mercedes could dramatically turn the tables."