Method One is again nevertheless it was the identical previous story on the 2023 season opener as Max Verstappen cruised to victory on the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The 2-time reigning champion led from begin to end in an ominous indication he’s on observe for a 3rd straight title.
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His Pink Bull teammate Sergio Perez completed second however rounding out the rostrum was Fernando Alonso, who was making his debut for Aston Martin.
Alonso began eighth on the grid however overtook Carlos Sainz, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell to snare his first podium for his new staff.
“That is simply unreal,” 41-year-old Alonso mentioned.
“Ending on the rostrum the primary weekend of the yr, it’s simply superb what Aston Martin did over the winter to have the second greatest automotive on race 1.”
Aston Martin impressed in preseason testing and it seems they’ve taken the largest leap ahead of any of the midfield groups heading into the brand new season.
Lance Stroll completed sixth, a significantly spectacular effort contemplating he broke his wrist in a motorbike accident two weeks in the past and drove the race with a damaged toe.
It was a sensational consequence, particularly after Stroll unintentionally ran into Alonso on the opening lap.
It means Aston Martin sits second within the constructors’ championship forward of Mercedes and Ferrari, albeit after only one race.
Aston Martin has recruited closely within the offseason, choosing up a number of Pink Bull workers members together with their former head of aerodynamnics Dan Fallows.
Pink Bull staff principal Christian Horner couldn’t resist a cheeky dig at Aston Martin, declaring “imitation is the largest type of flattery”.
“I feel it demonstrates to all of the groups that it’s potential,” Horner mentioned.
“So, they’ve clearly executed a great job over the winter. They are saying imitation is the largest type of flattery, and it’s good to see the previous automotive going so properly.”
“I feel that it’s flattering to see the resemblance of that automotive to ours, so it was nice to see the three of them on the rostrum.”
With Alonso be a part of the 2 Pink Bull drivers on the rostrum Perez joked: “It’s good to see three Pink Bull automobiles on the rostrum!”
Chatting with Sky Sports activities Germany in regards to the a number of engineers who defected to Aston Martin, Pink Bull supremo Helmut Marko quipped: “It appears all of them have a great reminiscence.”
Seven completely different groups featured within the high 10 and scored world championship factors.
Australia’s Oscar Piastri has a nightmare debut for McLaren, with engine failure forcing him to retire from the race on lap 15.
Bahrain Grand Prix outcomes
1) Max Verstappen, Pink Bull
2) Sergio Perez, Pink Bull,
3) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
4) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
5) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
6) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
7) George Russell, Mercedes
8) Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo
9) Pierre Gasly, Alpine
10) Alex Albon, Williams
11) Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri
12) Logan Sargeant, Williams
13) Kevin Magnussen, Haas
14) Nyck De Vries, AlphaTauri
15) Nico Hulkenberg, Haas
16) Guanyu Zhou, Alfa Romeo
17, Lando Norris, McLaren
18) Esteban Ocon, Alpine (DNF)
19) Charles Leclerc (DNF)
20) Oscar Piastri, McLaren (DNF)
