In a thrilling and tactical battle, Max Verstappen couldn't overcome Lewis Hamilton in the final laps of the race. The Briton sealed the first win of the 2021 season and his third consecutive victory in Bahrain.
Lewis Hamilton got his season off to the best possible startImage: Lars Baron/Getty Images
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A brilliant defensive performance from Lewis Hamilton saw him hold off the charge of Max Verstappen and seal top spot in the opening race of the season.
In a back-and-forth contest that ultimately turned on the teams' pit strategy, Verstappen looked set to overcome defending championHamilton in the final laps.
And with three laps to go, Verstappen overtook Hamilton but had to allow the Briton back in front having gone off track to overtake — a controversial decision given drivers were told track limits at Turn Four were not to be enforced during the race.
Bahrain GP Podium
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
Bahrain GP Fastest Lap
Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) — 1:32.090
Quote of the day at the Bahrain GP
"There is definitely an issue so you better f****** find it." — Max Verstappen on his early car problems.
Drive of the day at the Bahrain GP
Sergio Perez (Red Bull) — Another season, another great performance by the Mexican. Having struggled in qualifying, Perez forced another warm-up lap and had to start from the pit lane after his car cut out during the first formation lap. Despite that, he raced his way through the field as has become his style. A fifth-placed finish was his reward.
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Best team performance at the Bahrain GP
Mercedes — Although they have long been the gold standard in the sport, they looked second best to Red Bull all weekend long. To seal top and third as a team was a testament to their performance. Hamilton drove brilliantly to win and Bottas overcame a slow pit stop after 31 laps to seal the final podium spot and the fastest lap.
Best of the rest at the Bahrain GP
Although he finished second last, Sebastian Vettel had fun on the track and both McLarens looked fast. Off all the debutants, Yuki Tsunoda in the AlphaTauri impressed the most, claiming ninth and two points in his first race. Both Haas struggled, Mick Schumacher finished last and teammate Nikita Mazepin spun out on the opening lap.
Current drivers' standings
Hamilton (Mercedes) — 25 points
Verstappen (Red Bull) — 18
Bottas (Mercedes) — 16
Norris (McLaren) — 12
Perez (Red Bull) — 10
New Haas driver Nikita Mazepin spins into trouble during qualifyingImage: Hasan Bratic/Nordphoto/imago images
Qualifying roundup
Max Verstappen edged out champion Lewis Hamilton by 0.39 seconds on his final qualifying lap to claim a fourth career pole position and secure a strong start for his Red Bull team on Saturday.
Hamilton will start in second, with his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas in third and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in fourth. With Mercedes having dominated the sport in recent years, the Red Bull car has been tipped by many observers to pose a serious threat this season, particularly with a driver as talented as Verstappen at the wheel.
But the two Germans in the field will start some way behind. Sebastian Vettel, who endured a tough season with Ferrari last time out was among the five drivers eliminated from Q1 and starts 18th for Aston Martin.
Verstappen: "We had a good week of testing. There are no guarantees but it's been great so far, really enjoyable to drive. ... The car has been steady on the short and long runs, we have a good car. We need a good, clean start."
Hamilton: "I absolutely gave it everything I had, but unfortunately it wasn't good enough. There's always more, but it was the best I could do, I got everything I could from the car."
The course
The Bahrain International Circuit is a 5,412-kilometer course that presents opportunities for overtaking, especially in the start-finish straight.
The hot weather often a significant factor in Bahrain and sand has proved a big issue on the desert track. The race has been run in the evenings since 2014.
F1: Cars and drivers of the 2021 season
The new Formula One season starts in Bahrain. Many of last season's drivers have changed teams and there are new faces on the grid too, such as Mick Schumacher. Once again, Mercedes are the team to beat.
After a year of driving a black car, the Silver Arrows have returned to their original color. This year's car, the "W12 E Performance" hasn't changed much and remains, like previous Mercedes, the best car on the grid. During testing though, there were problems with the car's balance. Will that opens the door for the competition?
Mercedes' team is the same as last year. Briton Lewis Hamilton (right), now a seven-time world champion, is the number one driver and the clear favorite to seal yet another championship. His teammate, Valtteri Bottas (left), is a man who operates more in the background but is capable of more than one or two race wins.
Image: HOCH ZWEI/picture alliance
Red Bull
Will the "RB16B" set the tone in Formula One in 2021 instead of Mercedes? Red Bull's previous car was effectively the fastest by the end of last season but lacked consistency. Can Red Bull's mechanics clear out the kinks? Team boss Helmut Marko has refused to take on the favorite label, saying Mercedes have won every title since 2014. That is true, but that doesn't mean it will always be that way.
Image: Thomas Butler/Red Bull Content/dpa/picture alliance
Max Verstappen & Sergio Perez
During winter testing, Max Verstappen (left) was the fastest, but can he compete for a championship? He definitely has the driving ability, as well as the experience and the patience. If Mercedes stumbles, the Dutchman will be there. His new teammate, Sergio Perez (right), knows how to win races and the Mexican will be hoping to fare better than his successor Alex Albon.
Image: Jerry Andre/Laci Perenyi/picture alliance
Ferrari
What can Ferrari's "SF21" deliver? This car is a developed version of the "SF1000" that raced last year and was ultimately a huge disappointment. Visually changes have been made. The Ferrari red has taken on a slightly darker shade as the team takes on the color the team won their first world title with around 80 years ago. Perhaps that will help?
Image: Antonin Vincent/DPPI/picture alliance
Charles Leclerc & Carlos Sainz Jr.
On the one hand Charles Leclerc (left) can laugh. Sebastian Vettel is gone and the future of Ferrari is his. But 2020 was a terrible year for Ferrari and this new season could be another one where the team is chasing rather than leading the pack. Added to that, Leclerc's new teammate is Carlos Sainz Jr. (right), a hungry and ambitious driver who will be hot on his heels.
Image: Antonin Vincent/DPPI/picture alliance
Aston Martin
Most consider the "AMR21" as the prettiest car on the track this season. The combination of a British Racing Green and the name Aston Martin emanates classy and that James Bond flair. Under the body lies a Mercedes motor and many other parts of the car are similar to last year's champions. It's good for speed, but, like last season, it might not please others in the paddock.
Image: Aston Martin/ZUMAPRESS.com/picture alliance
Sebastian Vettel & Lance Stroll
Sebastian Vettel (left) is probably pretty excited about this season. Rather than struggling in a Ferrari, the German has the chance to start something new in the Aston Martin team and could finally return to the front of the pack again thanks to Mercedes' motor. The team's pecking order will be intriguing, because Canadian Lance Stroll (right) is not just fast but also the son of the boss.
Image: HOCH ZWEI/picture alliance
McLaren - Daniel Ricciardo & Lando Norris
A fast car and two golden boys would be one way of describing the McLaren Team this year. After two years at Renault, Australian Daniel Ricciardo (left) wants to challenge the leaders in the "MCL35M". Both he and Brit Lando Norris (right) will be hoping to seal good qualifying spots as well as one or two podiums.
Image: Mclaren F1/dpa/picture alliance
Alpha Tauri
Red Bull's reserve team have the same appearance as last year, but as a result of the few rule changes compared to 2020 the Honda motor is a development to last year's car. The designer team for the "AT02" have opted for almost an entirely different aerodynamic approach rather than taking last year's Red Bull components.
Image: Hasan Bratic/dpa/picture alliance
Yuki Tsonada & Pierre Gasly
Alpha Tauri's driver team is also exciting this year: Frenchman Pierre Gasly won the Monza Grand Prix in 2020 as well as finishing fifth and twice sixth, sealing himself a seat for another year. F1 debutant Yuki Tsonada (left) is his new teammate. The Japanese driver impressed in teasting and in a qualifying simulation he continually delivered best times and finished second.
Image: Jerry Andre/Laci Perenyi/imago images
Alpine
From Renault's yellow and black, Alpine's blue emerges. The sports car brand from Renault is hoping to increase it's name through better F1 results. It nearly didn't happen either as many at Renault were in favor of ending the expensive endeavor that is running an F1 team. Corporation boss Luca de Meo refused. He hoped that the cap on spending would improve his chances.
Image: James Moy/empics/picture alliance
Esteban Ocon & Fernando Alonso
After a two-year break, Fernando Alonso (right) returns to Formula One. The Spaniard twice won the championship in 2005 and 2006. He returns a self-acclaimed more complete driver having spent his time outside the sport at long-distance driving events and the Indycar series. Esteban Ocon (left) retains his seat from last year.
Image: Charles Coates/Motorsport Images/imago images
Haas F1 Team
The Russian appearance of the "Haas VF-21" has caused a buzz. It's connected to the team's new sponsor, a Russian chemical group. Towards the end of last year, the team were in need of a new sponsor and so with a new look Haas are hoping for new fortunes.
Image: Haas F1 Team/dpa/picture alliance
Nikita Mazepin & Mick Schumacher
Haas are the team of two sons this years. Mick Schumacher (right), son of the legendary Michael Schumacher, has been touted as a huge talent and a potential star in the future of the sport. Russian Nikita Mazepin (left) is the son of the team's main sponsor. He too can drive, but is more likely in the seat because of his father's millions.
Image: Hasan Bratic/dpa/picture alliance
Alfa Romeo - Kimi Räikkönen & Antonio Giovinazzi
They are called Alfa Romeo but the chassis is from Sauber and the motor is Ferrari's. The "C41" is a development on last year's car. Both drivers, 41-year-old Kimi Räikkönen (left) und Italian Antonio Giovinazzi (middle), have stayed. They are likely to be near the back of the grid again and will be hoping for the chance to get points.
The name is still Williams, but no one from the Williams family is involved anymore. One of the most traditional teams in the sport was bought by a US investor last summer and team boss Claire Williams stepped down. The "FW43B" looks brighter than last year's car, and inside sits a Mercedes motor. It will likely still be a tough season for the team though.
Image: Mark Sutton/Motorsport Images/imago images
George Russell & Nicholas Latifi
Both drivers remained. George Russell (left) showed what he is capable when he stepped in for Lewis Hamilton last year and the 23-year-old Brit won the only three points for Williams last year with a ninth-played finish in Bahrain. His teammate Nicholas Latifi never finished higher than 11th.
