Max Verstappen's dominance continued unabated as he cruised to a commanding victory in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, extending his winning streak to eight races. The reigning world champion started from pole position and never looked back, leading every lap to secure a one-two finish for Red Bull with teammate Sergio Perez.
Despite the ongoing drama surrounding team principal Christian Horner, Red Bull remained unfazed, with Verstappen delivering a flawless performance. Horner's wife, Geri Halliwell, joined him before the race and celebrated on the podium, adding to the team's jubilation.
Carlos Sainz Jr. finished third for Ferrari after a spirited battle with teammate Charles Leclerc. However, Ferrari's hopes of challenging Red Bull were dashed as they struggled to match the pace of the Austrian team.
Verstappen's victory sets the tone for the longest-ever F1 season, with 24 races scheduled. The Dutchman's near-perfect record from 2023, where he won 19 of 22 races, suggests that he is poised to repeat his success.
Horner, who has been embroiled in controversy, expressed relief at the team's focus on racing. "The result today demonstrates where the whole team's focus is," he said. "We move onwards."
Perez's climb from fifth to second showcased Red Bull's superiority, while Sainz's podium finish was a welcome return to form for the Spaniard. Leclerc's challenge faded after a poor start, leaving him to settle for fourth.
George Russell finished fifth for Mercedes, followed by Lando Norris for McLaren and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton. Oscar Piastri of McLaren and the Aston Martin duo of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll rounded out the top 10.
Tags: #Formula1, #BahrainGP, #MaxVerstappen, #RedBull, #SergioPerez
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