Disaster for world champion Max Verstappen and Red Bull, damage limitation for record champion Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes and Ferrari races to a sensational double success: Charles Leclerc in the desert of Sakhir satisfied the Tifosi’s longing for Ferrari’s first Formula 1 triumph following 910 days. “That’s exactly how we should start this season. Here’s to one and two, baby! Mamma Mia!” Leclerc radioed from the car.
From pole position, the 24-year-old Monegasque countered the many attacks by defending champion Verstappen under the floodlights at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, before he retired in the Red Bull shortly before the end of the race. Second was Carlos Sainz in the second Ferrari – and Hamilton was third ahead of his new teammate George Russell.
Verstappen cursed and mocked
Leclerc only managed two victories. That was in 2019. Once at the Scuderia’s home race in Italy, once in Belgium. Rival Verstappen kept trying to overtake, including the second tire change with an earlier stop. But Ferrari reacted immediately and brought in Leclerc as well. It was enough. Verstappen mocked his own team and complained regarding steering problems following the second tire change.
Then the safety car phase because Pierre Gasly’s Alpha Tauri caught fire. After the Abu Dhabi scandal, the rules were revised and the race control replaced. And everything went smoothly. Leclerc once more defended his position once morest Verstappen and clinched the first win for Ferrari since September 19, 2019 by his then teammate Sebastian Vettel in an equally spectacular final phase. “I’m incredibly happy,” said Leclerc following his victory in Bahrain.
Strong start for Alfa-Sauber
Alfa-Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas was a strong sixth. That was following the Finn was passed backwards from eighth place at the start. And Bottas’ teammate Guanyu Zhou also scored in tenth place. (dpa/hua)
