The Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull), who aspires to capture a third title in a row, became the first leader of the Formula One World Championship by winning this Sunday, with enormous authority, the Bahrain Grand Prix, at the Sakhir circuit; where he prevailed ahead of his partner, the Mexican Sergio Pérez and the Spanish Fernando Alonso; who, at 41, returned to the podium in his first race with Aston Martin.
‘Mad Max’ and Red Bull, who defend titles, started the season as they finished the previous one: with enormous authority. But it was the double world champion from Asturias, the oldest driver on the grid, who is facing his twentieth season in the premier class, who once again became the center of attention. Alonso did not miss his first opportunity with the car that has made the most progress between campaigns and signed his 99th podium in F1, one year and almost four months after the previous one: the one he had achieved in November 2021 by finishing third in the Qatar Grand Prix .
Verstappen, 25, signed his thirty-sixth victory in F1 and led a new double for the Austrian team along with ‘Checo’, 33, who saw his career jeopardized with a weak start, but who knows he is facing a new challenge exciting season and, for the moment, he celebrated his twenty-seventh podium in the division of honour. A ‘drawer’ that he achieved after relegating the other Spaniard to fourth place, Carlos Sainz, whose Ferrari teammate, the Monegasque Charles Leclerc, retired with fifteen laps to go, running out of power when he was running third.
Alonso had surprised in the pre-season tests and continued to encourage his fans to trust in high goals by setting the best time in training on Friday. He confirmed that the Aston Martin is a good car with fifth on the grid which he achieved on Saturday; and this Sunday he once again showed that he is a true master when it comes to optimizing resources.
With brilliant overtaking on the track to the two Englishmen from Mercedes -George Russell and the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton- and to his compatriot Sainz, the last obstacle on his way to the podium -the third he has climbed in eight years-, the great driver Asturiano reconfirmed what some still find it difficult to assimilate: that he is, indisputably, one of the great figures in the entire history of Spanish sport.
Bahrain Grand Prix
Max Verstappen – 1:33:56.736
Sergio Perez – at 11,987
Fernando Alonso – at 38,637
Carlos Sainz – at 48,520
Lewis Hamilton – a 50.977
Lance Stroll – a 54.502
George Russell – a 55.873
Valtteri Bottas – a 1:12.647
Pierre Gasly – a 1:13.753
Alexander Albon – at 1:29.774
Drivers World Cup
Max Verstappen – 25 points
Sergio Perez – 18 points
Fernando Alonso – 15 points
Carlos Sainz – 12 points
Lewis Hamilton – 10 points
Lance Stroll – 8 points
George Russell – 6 points
Valtteri Bottas – 4 points
Pierre Gasly – 2 points
Alexander Albon – 1 punto
