This has never happened before in 74 years of Formula 1. In the opening race in Bahrain, all cars crossed the finish line. Normally the technology is still vulnerable at the start of a new season. One or the other always gets caught. But this time everything went smoothly. It was also a first for Bahrain. The material-killing desert course has always found victims.
As far as the battle at the front was concerned, it only got tight for a short time at the start. But pole-sitter Max Verstappen closed the inside lane in the first corner and let attacker Charles Leclerc starve on the outside. From then on it was a cozy evening for the Dominator. “It’s rare to experience such perfect races,” beamed the world champion after his start-to-finish victory, including the fastest lap of the race.
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Ferrari won the duel against Mercedes. Carlos Sainz set off small fireworks.
Heated Mercedes engines
However, there was some drama in his rearview mirror. Sergio Perez prevailed against the two Ferraris and George Russell’s Mercedes. The red and silver cars had lots of interesting fights with each other. Russell drove around in second position for a while, but in the end had to settle for fifth place.
Mercedes and Williams struggled with symptoms of overheating. In order to save the engines, the performance had to be reduced. To do this, the drivers were instructed not to drive too close to the car in front and to ease off the accelerator earlier before corners. The measure worked. As already mentioned, everyone made it to the finish.
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A good face against the evil game. After the race there was a kiss for the husband.
Happy family in the Horner household
The Bahrain Grand Prix had the most spectacular scene right at the start. Nico Hülkenberg got off the line badly and crashed into the rear of Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin in Turn 1. The Canadian lost control and suddenly found himself facing the opposite direction of travel. As a result of the Hülkenberg collision, Valtteri Bottas drove into the Haas. On the Sauber the end plate broke, on the Haas the diffuser took something off.
The sporting events often took a back seat this weekend. In the paddock everyone was just discussing the Christian Horner case. The Red Bull team boss acted on Saturday as if nothing had happened. Wife Geri even came to Bahrain to support her husband in difficult times. The Spice Girl singer proved that she would have made a good actress too.
In the gallery we show you the best scenes from the show on and off the slopes.