In an obscene display of superiority, the
Dutchman Max Verstappen
fulfilled what any Formula
1
follower predicted before the five red lights went out at the
Bahrain Grand Prix
: he took a very comfortable victory in the first round. of the 2024 season and thus added his eighth consecutive victory and the 55th in his career in a category that, these days, he dominates with no opposition in sight.
His teammate,
the Mexican Sergio Pérez, and the Spanish Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) completed the podium.
The
three-time champion of the specialty
, who started from
pole position
, had no difficulties at the start with the person accompanying him on the front row,
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari),
and needed just one lap to build an advantage over his escort that prevented the Monegasque had access to the DRS in the second turn.
It was immediately evident that no one could fight the monarch, who also took the fastest lap of the race and the extra point that it grants.
Overcoming that first challenge without problems, the Dutchman,
aboard his new Red Bull RB20, seemed to enter cruising speed
and launched into a task without errors, neither strategic nor driving nor in his two pit stops.
As if in a
déjà vu
of the 2023 season, in which he achieved 19 victories in 22 races (the last seven consecutive),
Verstappen won with overwhelming superiority after 57 laps
on the 5,412-meter track and celebrated on Bahraini soil, where there were also celebrated last year.
THE FIRST ONE GONE!
This was the start of the #BahrainGP with Max Verstappen and good traction after the green light.
📺 All #Formula1 in #StarPlusLA pic.twitter.com/pKh85R3F54
— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) March 2, 2024
“It was amazing, I think today was even better than expected.
The car went very well with all the compounds, it was a pleasure to drive.
It was a lot of fun, I felt very good in the car.
"It's special to have days like this, when everything is perfect and you feel comfortable with the car
," said the champion, who gave Red Bull its 114th victory in Formula 1. In this way, the Austrian team equaled Williams. and was placed fourth among the most winners in history, only surpassed by Ferrari (243), McLaren (183) and Mercedes (125).
Verstappen's shameless dominance left Sergio Pérez 22.457 seconds behind when he crossed the finish line.
Despite the distance, the Mexican, loyal squire of the king of the category, was satisfied with his task, although he warned that there is still much to improve.
“This was the most we could get, so it's a great way to start the season.
It was a complicated race with tire management.
Compound to compound, we were skidding and having problems with the brakes.
“I am sure that we will analyze and learn for next time
,” he said.
AND THE FIREWORKS ARE FOR MAX!
The three-time world champion started 2024 as he ended 2023 and took victory in the #BahrainGP.
📺 The #Formula1 season, in #StarPlusLA pic.twitter.com/48KX5FcELb
— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) March 2, 2024
The only driver who, at least at times, could keep up with the pace of the Red Bulls was
Carlos Sainz
, also the only one who last year had managed to break the hegemony of the cars of the energy drink manufacturer (he won the Grand Prix). Singapore Prize).
This Saturday, the Spaniard, who next season will leave his place in Ferrari to the seven-time world champion
Lewis Hamilton
, started from fourth place on the grid and surpassed his teammate,
the Monegasque Charles Leclerc
, who had to settle for the fourth place.
“Today I felt very good.
The start was not ideal, but I managed the tires very well, I overtook two or three cars and in the end I was close to a Red Bull,
which was a pleasant surprise
,” celebrated Sainz, who stood on a Formula 1 podium. for the 19th time.
MOMENT OF CELEBRATION FOR MAX!
Verstappen received the #BahrainGP winner's trophy after the overwhelming victory on the first date of the season.
📺 The entire season of #Formula1 in #StarPlusLA pic.twitter.com/aaj3t8qpHB
— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) March 2, 2024
Behind the Red Bulls and the Ferraris, although far from the fight for the big points,
Mercedes and McLaren interspersed their vehicles
: the British George Russell finished fourth, ahead of his compatriots Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton, and the Australian Oscar Piastri.
The
Aston Martins
of Spanish Fernando Alonso and Canadian Lance Stroll completed the positions that awarded units for the championship.
The next event in a category lacking intrigue will be next weekend on the very fast street circuit of Jeddah, in
Saudi Arabia
.
Like this week, the race will be held on Saturday because Ramadan will begin on Sunday, the ninth month in the Hijra calendar, in which Muslims fast.