If the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was going to be the ultimate test of the success of the 2022 regulations, then it certainly delivered, but it was perhaps reliability that was the unexpected ingredient that spiced up an often dull venue.
In temperatures that climbed above 37C, the title race took another big swing, but in such a fashion that you can feel pretty confident there will be many more to come.
Charles Leclerc’s stunning pole position lap had left him with the early advantage, and his decision to save a set of new soft tyres for the start of the race proved a smart one. Only Lewis Hamilton in fifth started on mediums, with the rest of the field committing to at least two stops by starting on softs.
