Verstappen wins 2023 F1 Bahrain GP, Alonso makes podium

The 2023 Components 1 World Championship obtained underway on Sunday with the Bahrain Grand Prix, held on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit.

Pink Bull Racing was the dominant workforce, with reigning world champion Max Verstappen main a one-two end forward of Sergio Perez, who got here in 12 seconds behind.

Rounding out the highest three was Fernando Alonso, racing for the primary time at Aston Martin. The double world champion completed roughly 38 seconds behind the winner.

Pink Bull locked out the entrance row of the beginning grid, with Verstappen on pole and faster than his teammate off the road when the lights turned inexperienced. Perez obtained slowed down and misplaced a spot to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and was left attempting to defend third place from Ferrari’s different man, Carlos Sainz.

2023 Components 1 Bahrain Grand Prix

Behind them, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll got here into contact with Alonso whereas coming into Flip 4, which allowed Mercedes-Benz AMG’s Lewis Hamilton and George Russell to get forward. Alonso then placed on an important battle to first go Russell after which Hamilton.

In entrance it was a lonely race for each Verstappen and Perez. There was hassle for Leclerc, although. After placing some strain on Perez, the Ferrari driver was compelled to retire on lap 41 after his automotive got here to a cease. This freed up third place for Sainz however he didn’t maintain it for lengthy as Alonso manged to go him and safe the ultimate podium spot simply 4 laps later.

Different spectacular runs got here from Williams’ Alexander Albon, who completed 10th, and U.S. driver Logan Sargeant, who in his F1 debut completed 12th for Williams. Fellow rookies Nyck de Vries and Oscar Piastri had opposing outcomes. Whereas Piastri needed to retire on lap 14 after his McLaren failed to start out following a steering wheel change, de Vries drove a stable race to complete 14th in his AlphaTauri.

Following the previous weekend’s motion, Verstappen leads the 2023 Drivers’ Championship with 25 factors. Perez is second with 18 factors and Alonso third with 15 factors. Within the Constructors’ Championship, Pink Bull leads with 43 factors, versus the 23 of Aston Martin and 16 of Mercedes. The following race on the calendar is the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in a fortnight.

Fernando Alonso on the 2023 Components 1 Bahrain Grand Prix

Beneath are the total outcomes from the 2023 Components 1 Bahrain Grand Prix:

1) Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing
2) Sergio Perez, Pink Bull Racing +11.987 seconds
3) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin +38.637 seconds
4) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari +48.052 seconds
5) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-Benz AMG +50.977 seconds
6) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin +54.502 seconds
7) George Russell, Mercedes-Benz AMG +55.873 seconds
8) Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo +72.647 seconds
9) Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri +73.753 seconds
10) Alexander Albon, Williams +89.77 seconds
11) Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri +90.870 seconds
12) Logan Sargeant, Williams +1 lap
13) Kevin Magnussen, Haas +1 lap
14) Nyck De Vries, AlphaTauri +1 lap
15) Nico Hulkenberg, Haas +1 lap
16) Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo +1 lap
17) Lando Norris, McLaren +1 lap
NC) Esteban Ocon, Alpine – DNF
NC) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari – DNF
NC) Oscar Piastri, McLaren – DNF

This text was initially printed by Motor Authority, an editorial accomplice of ClassicCars.com.