Max Verstappen affirmed his status as the driver to beat in the 2024 F1 season opener at Bahrain.
Racing for Red Bull, Verstappen secured a commanding victory, finishing a remarkable 22.457 seconds ahead of his teammate, Sergio Perez.
The Bahrain Grand Prix showcased Verstappen’s prowess as he led from pole position and never looked back during the 57-lap race.
Verstappen’s Triumph
Verstappen’s impeccable performance was marked by strategic pit stops, each executed with sufficient gaps to maintain his lead.
Not only did he cross the chequered flag over 22 seconds ahead of Perez, but Verstappen also clinched an additional bonus point for setting the fastest lap.
Speaking about his race, Verstappen expressed his satisfaction, stating, “I think today went even better than expected. The car was really nice to drive, and we had a lot of pace on every [tyre] compound.”
Sainz’s Spirited Overtakes
A noteworthy highlight of the race was Carlos Sainz’s spirited performance for Ferrari, securing the third spot on the podium. Sainz’s aggressive overtakes, particularly on his teammate Charles Leclerc, added excitement to the competition.
The prospect of being without a drive in 2025 due to Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari may have fueled Sainz’s determination.
Challenges for Ferrari and Mercedes
While Sainz celebrated his podium finish, Ferrari faced challenges, with Leclerc struggling with tyre degradation and encountering brake issues.
On the Mercedes front, both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton faced battery issues, with Hamilton even reporting a broken seat at one point. As a result, Russell settled for fifth place, and Hamilton finished in seventh.
McLaren’s Strong Presence
McLaren showcased strength, with both Lando Norris securing sixth place and Oscar Piastri finishing in eighth. The last two points-scoring spots were claimed by Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.
Looking Ahead to Saudi Arabian GP
With the Bahrain Grand Prix setting the stage, Formula 1 now heads to Jeddah for the Saudi Arabian GP on March 7-9. Similar to Bahrain, the Saudi Arabia race will take place on a Saturday.
2024 Bahrain GP Results
Here are the official results of the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix:
- Max Verstappen – Red Bull Racing
- Sergio Perez – Red Bull Racing
- Carlos Sainz – Ferrari
- Charles Leclerc – Ferrari
- George Russell – Mercedes
- Lando Norris – McLaren
- Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
- Oscar Piastri – McLaren
- Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin
- Lance Stroll – Aston Martin
The remaining positions were secured by drivers from various teams, highlighting the intense competition in the F1 circuit.