F1: Opening Race at Bahrain, Ferrari Takes the Win

Formula One has officially started!! The season opener takes place in Bahrain located in the middle east. 

Ferrari driver, Charles Leclerc, secures the win by landing first place along with his teammate Carlos Sainz, landing second place. This makes both drivers finish on the Podium and start off the year with a great lead!

Both Red Bull's cars gave up in the final moments to leave it open for a Ferrari one-two, and for Lewis Hamilton to help himself to third and his teammate, George Russell, in fourth! Lewis Hamilton speaks, "a big congratulations to Ferrari, it's so good to see them doing well again. It was such a difficult race – we've struggled throughout practice, and this was the best result we could. We're grateful for these points, the guys are working hard back at the factory, there's a long way to go."

Verstappen, starting P2, attempted to undercut Ferrari’s pole-sitter Leclerc on Lap 15, cutting down what was a 3.5s deficit to just 0.35s when Leclerc emerged in the lead on Lap 16. That triggered a three-lap box-office bout for the lead, Leclerc hanging on when Verstappen locked up into Turn 1 on Lap 19.

Two laps later, Pierre Gasly brought out the Safety Car when his AlphaTauri stopped in flames, and Leclerc took the opportunity to pit too. The Lap 51 restart saw Leclerc scamper off into the distance while Verstappen – nursing a steering issue and upset by what he suspected was a power unit glitch – just could not keep up.

Charles Leclerc shares, "I'm so happy. We knew this was a big opportunity for the team and the guys have done an incredible job building into amazing car. A one-two today with Carlos – we couldn't hope for better. It's incredible to be back at the top."