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SAKHIR, Bahrain (AP) — New season, one more victory. Max Verstappen received the time-opening Bahrain Grand Prix from pole situation on Sunday, foremost just about the whole race as he opened the defense of his again-to-again Method A person titles.
Crimson Bull also clinched a dominant 1-2 with Sergio Perez ending 2nd while 41-calendar year-aged Fernando Alonso took a outstanding third location — and claimed a 99th occupation podium — on a breathtaking race debut for Aston Martin.
“I’m so happy of you guys,” a jubilant Alonso informed his team.
It was Verstappen’s 36th profession win but the Dutchman’s initially at the flood-lit Sakhir circuit, the place he retired just laps from the conclude in previous year’s opening race.
“That was specifically the start to the season we required,” Verstappen said.
This time it was Charles Leclerc, just after winning very last 12 months, who retired on Lap 41 of 57 when his Ferrari shed power.
“No, no, no, no,” pleaded Leclerc over his radio as his motor vehicle slowed to a stop. Ferrari had improved an engine battery in advance of the race but that did not cease Leclerc from producing a dismal get started to the 12 months after these types of a frustrating time in 2022.
“There was just no much more energy. It is a pity mainly because it’s at these weekends in which you have to maximize points,” Leclerc reported. “Sad to say we have taken a move back again and Purple Bull’s on a different planet. Third was the greatest we could hope for.”
Leclerc’s retirement induced worry at Ferrari, and Carlos Sainz Jr. didn’t even bother striving to defend from Alonso — possibly through problem he may possibly shed power himself — and Aston Martin overtook him with 11 laps left.
Sainz concluded fourth in advance of seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton in fifth put forward of Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll in sixth. Hamilton’s teammate George Russell was seventh for Mercedes.
Verstappen commenced from the pole with Perez along with him. Leclerc and Sainz ended up on the next row with the 41-yr-old Alonso likely from fifth.
Logan Sargeant, the to start with American driver on the grid due to the fact 2015, was 12th just after commencing from 16th.
Stroll’s effectiveness was impressive looking at he skipped preseason testing simply because of an injury picked up in a bicycle accident that demanded small surgical procedure on his ideal wrist.
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