Bahrain GP: Max Verstappen dominates F1 2023 opener as Fernando Alonso steps onto podium after Ferrari misfortune

Max Verstappen received 12 seconds forward of Sergio Perez, Fernando Alonso brilliantly overtook Carlos Sainz, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell for the Aston Martin podium; Charles Leclerc was working third however retired with Ferrari engine failure

Max Verstappen took a dominating victory on the Bahrain GP as Crimson Bull left their competitors behind to begin the 2023 Method 1 season, whereas Fernando Alonso dazzled to take a well-deserved podium for Aston Martin.

Verstappen, who’s aiming for a 3rd consecutive world championship this 12 months, received his first-ever opening recreation of the season on a gallop after taking pole place in the beginning after which working away, with favorites Crimson Bull having fun with a lined with desires.

Charles Leclerc was working third behind Sergio Perez, whom he had run off the road earlier than being handed once more later within the race, however then suffered a crushing Ferrari energy failure with 17 laps to go.

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Charles Leclerc misplaced energy in his Ferrari as he was pressured to retire from third place within the season opener.

And Ferrari would then lose the final place on the rostrum once more because of a charging Alonso, who lit up the F1 season opener.

Alonso, having already brilliantly handed the Mercedes of George Russell and second-placed Lewis Hamilton with an excellent transfer to shock his fellow multi-world champion, then charged fellow Spaniard Carlos Sainz on lap 46 of 57, albeit after a slight contact with the Ferrari.

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Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso moved as much as fifth after a implausible combat with Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton.

With out combating Crimson Bull, it was a implausible restoration from shock 2023 contenders Aston Martin, with Alonso and teammate Lance Stroll dropping positions and making contact on the opening lap.

Stroll, who was racing every week after wrist surgical procedure, additionally beat a Mercedes after passing Russell.

In the long run, Hamilton and Russell needed to accept fifth and seventh of their underperforming W14 automobiles.

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Lance Stroll crashed into Aston Martin team-mate Fernando Alonso on the opening lap of the Bahrain Grand Prix, whereas Max Verstappen held on to the lead from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

Valtteri Bottas was “the perfect of the remaining” for Alfa Romeo forward of Pierre Gasly in Alpine and the spectacular Alex Albon for Williams.

Gasly had a significantly better night time than his new team-mate Esteban Ocon, who acquired three separate penalties in Bahrain – one for poor grid place, one for not serving his first penalty accurately and one other for rushing within the pit lane – earlier than, nicely out of motion, retiring from the race.

McLaren debutant Oscar Piastri additionally failed to finish the opener, whereas team-mate Lando Norris was final in a nightmarish begin for the famed Woking facet.

Bahrain GP race end result
1) Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull
2) Sergio Perez, Crimson Bull
3) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
4) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
5) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
6) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
7) George Russell, Mercedes
8) Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo
9) Pierre Gasly, Alpine
10) Alex Albon, Williams

Extra quickly.

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Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso moved as much as fifth after a implausible combat with Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton.

And after?

The 2023 Method 1 season continues with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on the game’s quickest city monitor in Jeddah.

The motion is stay on Sky Sports activities F1 from March 17-19, with Sunday’s race at 5pm.