Verstappen is still in 2023 mode and Sainz signs more than a podium in Bahrain

The Formula 1 with the Bahrain GP after three months of preparation and long dedication in the factories to get everything ready for this moment. The wait is over and it’s time to reveal all the cards. And it all started how 2023 ended: with a binomial Verstappen-Red Bull hard to handle that left no choice to its rivals from the start. Insulting rhythm in another league and left his companion ‘Checo’ Pérez in 22 seconds. He also didn’t miss the fastest lap while charging the batteries in the middle of the race. For his part, Carlos Sainz sign an impressive comeback after a complicated start with wild overtaking Leclerc and Russell. Quite a declaration of intentions for what will be the last season wearing the colors of Ferrari. Things are worse Fernando Alonso, with no rhythm to him Aston Martin and finished in ninth position.

At the start, Vertappen fought off Charles Leclerc’s onslaught while from behind Carlos Sainz paid dearly for starting from the dirt side and handing fourth place to Checo Pérez. Behind, there is a relationship between Nico Hulkenberg and Lance Stroll which ended the Canadian rotation and broke the German front wing. The action didn’t stop and on the first lap with DRS Norris overtook Alonso to take sixth while Russell did the same to Leclerc to take second.

Overtaking in the upper zone with the stellar Sainz

Alonso suffered in the early moments and also lost position to Piastri at turn 1. Hamilton soon did the same to the Asturian on lap 10. While the battle at the top was also lively in the four-way fight between the Ferraris, Perez and Russell. The Mexican took advantage of a braking pass by the Monegasque on lap 7 to move into third. Later on lap 11, Sainz also took advantage of his better pace to overtake Leclerc in the first corner with an overtake very close to the limit. but the two Ferraris are respected at all times despite the morbidity indicated by this movement in everything that happened this winter with the signing of Hamilton.

The first tire change came on lap 12, when Russell and Leclerc put on the hard tires. The next lap was done by Checo, Hamilton and Piastri. With new tires, Pérez made a loop on Russell on lap 14 and took the lead. While Sainz held on for a few more laps, when he exited the track he was back behind Leclerc and He was again hit by an incredible ax in turn 1 on lap 17. Quite a blow to the Ferrari table as the Monegasque complained on the radio about the brakes. But the Madrid native continued his display and then overtook Russell on the outside at turn 4.

From there the positions were tight with everyone on hard rubber until the second and final pit pass came. Gaining an ‘undercat’ position was Hamilton in Piastri to finish seventh, just behind Norris. Alonso, in desperation, tried to extend the second stint with hard tires but it didn’t help. because all the rivals, with new rubber, passed him with ease.

Red Bull did something different and used soft rubber for the final laps for both Verstappen and Pérez. That helped the Dutchman set fastest lap 1.32.608 on lap 39. Fernando came in with 15 laps to go and put on the hard rubber and settled into ninth position.

Excitement in part focused on the battle for the fourth position. Leclerc forced Russell’s mistake at turn 10 and took advantage to pass the Briton from Mercedes and finish just behind Sainz, who did not suffer to close the podium but also did not reflect the monopoly of Red Bull. However, the Madrid native was chosen driver of the day.

The stroll closed the Top10 proving that Aston Martin still has work to do if it wants to be at the top. The disappointment of the Grand Prix was the Alpines with Ocon 17th and Gasly 18th, just passing Bottas, who had problems in the pits, and Sargeant, who in the middle of the race his car failed and he lost a lot. time to continue driving..