Verstappen opens with victory, 1-2 Red Bull in Bahrain

SAKHIR, Bahrain (AP) — New season, another victory. Two-time defending champion Max Verstappen won the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, winning from pole position as he defended his Formula 1 titles.

Red Bull were clearly superior completing a 1-2. Mexican Sergio Pérez finished 12 seconds behind to remain as escort. Fernando Alonso, the 41-year-old Spaniard, took a brilliant third place and 99 podium finishes on his debut with Aston Martin.

“What did you guys do?” What did they do?”, Alonso expressed in ecstasy via his team radio. “I’m very proud of you.

Alonso’s supporters have rated this season as ‘Mission 33’, confident he can claim the 33rd victory of his career. His last victory dates back to 10 years with Ferrari.

Alonso, who joined Aston Martin after a bad break with Alpine, clenched his fist as he crossed the finish line and hugged his mechanics.

“To finish on the podium in the first race of the year is incredible, said Alonso. What Aston Martin has done this winter to have the second best car in the first race is just unreal.

It was Verstappen’s 36th victory, but the Dutchman’s first in the night race at the Sakhir circuit, where he had to retire towards the end of the first moto last year.

“It was exactly the start to the season we needed,” said Verstappen, who retired in three of his first four races in Bahrain. “I’m happy to have finally won here.”

This time it was Charles Leclerc, winner last year, who retired on lap 41 out of 57 after running out of power.

“I lacked power. It’s a shame because it’s those weekends where they have to maximize points,” said Leclerc. “Unfortunately we have taken a step back and Red Bull are on another planet. Finishing third was the best we could do.

Pérez also had to retire to Sakhir last year due to mechanical failure and settled for second place after a poor start.

“Leaving prevented me from being able to fight Max. Finishing second was the only thing I could do,” said the Mexican. “It’s a good start. If we see it the way we started last year, dropping both, it’s very good to start like that.”

The retirement of Leclerc generated panic at Ferrari, and Carlos Sainz Jr. did not hesitate to defend himself against Alonso’s attacks – surely for fear of also running out of power – and the Spaniard passed him at 11 laps to go.

Sainz finished fourth, ahead of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in his Mercedes. Lance Stroll, in the other Aston Martin, entered sixth.

Stroll’s performance was remarkable considering the Canadian missed pre-season testing after being injured in a cycling accident that required minor surgery on his right wrist.

Alonso and Stroll collided at the start which caused Alonso to lose some places. But they left smiling at the end of an exceptional day for Aston Martin.

“Congratulations to my partner Lance. He had to have surgery 12 days ago,” Alonso said. “He fought well with everyone.”

George Russell, Hamilton’s teammate at Mercedes, finished seventh.

Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo), Pierre Gasly (Alpine) — after starting last — and Alex Albon (Williams) complete the top 10.