Verstappen ahead of Perez
The Bahrain Grand Prix – LIVE from 4pm
Max Verstappen picked up where he left off last season at the Formula 1 season opener in Bahrain. The three-time world champion celebrated a start-finish victory on Saturday ahead of team-mate Sergio Perez, with the two Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc behind him in third and fourth place.
World champion Max Verstappen dominated the Formula 1 season opener and celebrated a superior start-finish victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver from the Netherlands won the uneventful floodlit race in Sakhir on Saturday comfortably ahead of his team-mate Sergio Perez, who finished 22.457 seconds behind the Mexican. Third on the desert circuit on the Persian Gulf was Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz (+25.110 seconds).
The result:
Demonstration of power
"A great start to the year, absolutely fantastic," Verstappen radioed back to the pits with satisfaction. "Unbelievable. It was even better than expected. A real pleasure. The car was good to drive and had great pace, it couldn't have gone any better," added the defending champion, who is aiming for his fourth consecutive world championship title, a little later. For the 26-year-old, who also secured the additional point for the fastest lap, it was the 55th Grand Prix victory of his career and the eighth in a row over the course of the season.
The Red Bull dominance of last year, when the Austro racing team won 21 out of 22 races, continued after the winter break. It was the 32nd "bull" victory in the last 34 races and the 29th double victory overall. As in the previous year, Red Bull Racing delivered a demonstration of power at the Bahrain International Circuit, with the competition consisting of Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren still trailing far behind.
Perez was delighted with the "maximum" and his best result in nine races. Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko was somewhat surprised. "That was overwhelming and not what we expected. Max won the start and then drove up and away," said the 80-year-old Styrian on ServusTV. Sainz was also satisfied. "We were able to keep up well," emphasized the Spaniard.
Charles Leclerc (+39.669), who started the race from second on the grid, had to settle for fourth place in the second Ferrari. Mercedes driver George Russell (+46.788) finished fifth ahead of Lando Norris (+48.548) in the McLaren and team-mate Lewis Hamilton (+50.324).
Verstappen was also unfazed by the scandal surrounding Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, who was acquitted in an independent investigation by the Austrian parent company following a complaint from an employee alleging inappropriate behavior. Horner's wife, former Spice Girls singer Geri Halliwell, seems to be standing by the 50-year-old Englishman. The two of them strolled through the paddock before the start, holding hands and surrounded by TV cameras and photographers.
Hülkenberg crashes into Stroll
On the race track, Verstappen started the opening race from pole position, with all 20 drivers initially opting for the softest set of tires. On the 20th anniversary in Bahrain, Verstappen defended his top position in the first corner against Leclerc, with Perez passing Sainz for fourth place. A little further back, Lance Stroll in the Aston Martin was spun by Haas driver Nico Hülkenberg, but both were able to continue.
On the third of 57 laps, Russell became Verstappen's first pursuer after an overtaking maneuver against Leclerc. The defending champion continued where he had left off last season. After ten laps, the competition was barely visible in the rear-view mirror and the lead was already seven seconds. A short time later, the two Ferraris fought a thrilling duel for fourth place, with Sainz, who was replaced by Lewis Hamilton in 2025, attacking Leclerc twice and overtaking his team-mate. However, the Monegasque struggled with brake problems on the front axle.
After the first pit stops, Perez overtook Russell's Mercedes to give Red Bull the one-two lead. Halfway through the race, Hamilton caused a stir with an unusual radio message: "My seat is broken," said the record world champion, who was in eighth place. Sainz, who was keeping up well with Perez, briefly held out hope in the battle for second place. However, the Spaniard opted for the hardest tire compound after the second pit stop, while Perez went for the softest and fastest compound exactly 20 laps before the end of the race. Sainz could no longer get within striking distance.
Lonely race for Verstappen
Behind them, Russell was not coping well with the hardest tires and was also overtaken by Leclerc. At the front, Verstappen completed his laps untouched. Next week, the premier class of motorsport will make a guest appearance in Saudi Arabia. The second of 24 races in Formula 1's record year will also take place there on a Saturday due to the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan (from March 10).
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