Verstappen, Red Bull dominate F1 in Bahrain

The Formula 1 season kicked off Sunday in Bahrain, and it was smooth sailing for Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen.

The 25- year- old Dutch star led wire to wire after he had secured pole position the day before. His Red Bull teammate, Sergio Pérez, finished second ( 11.987 seconds behind).

“That was exactly the start to the season we needed,” said Verstappen, who retired from three of his first four career races in Bahrain. “I’m very happy to finally win a race here.”

Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin made his 99th trip to an F1 podium in third. Charles Leclerc appeared to be in line for third, but his Ferrari stalled with engine failure with 17 laps left.

“To finish on the podium first race of the year is just amazing,” Alonso said. “What Aston Martin did over the winter to have the second best car on race one is just unreal.”

Verstappen won his first F1 driver’s title in 2021, after he fended off Lewis Hamilton. Then, last season, he successfully defended his championship, winning an F1- record 15 races.

Verstappen’s victory in Bahrain marks his 36th career first- place finish but his first season- opening victory.

The third- place finish for Alonso, 41, spells good news for his pairing with Aston Martin, after he signed with it in 2023 on a multiyear deal to replace Sebastian Vettel, who retired. That Alonso passed star British racers in Hamilton and George Russell deepens concerns for Mercedes, whose cars never appeared to be threats to compete for a podium finish. Hamilton finished fifth and Russell seventh.

GIUSEPPE CACACE/ AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit.