Well, there we have it folks. The first round of the 2023 Formula One season is complete and, I think it's fair to say that we all could have easily predicted the outcome. And, although this race was not as exciting as the ones F1 has bestowed upon us in recent times, it was, in fact, a gentle and mediocre introduction to what the season ahead has in store. So, without further a do, keep reading on for a recap of the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix.
As Crofty always says, "it's lights out and away we go." It was Max Verstappen starting on pole alongside his Red Bull teammate; Sergio Perez. And, with the former getting a near perfect start, Perez struggled off the line with the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc sneaking up into second. Carlos Sainz, in the second Ferrari, was unable to follow his teammate through and settled into the race in fourth position.
Although a relatively clean opening lap, the two Aston Martins of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll touched when Stroll clipped Alonso's rear which resulted in the Spaniard dropping two places from fifth to seventh. Luckily for him, no damage was reported. Both Mercedes took advantage of the Aston squabble and moved up the field, gaining a place each. Replays back also show that it wasn't just the Astons getting into a spot a bother. Nico Hulkenburg, in the Haas, lost part of his front wing when he rear ended one of the Alpines. Ironically, both incidents were very similar.
Onto Lap 6 and Perez, now in the DRS zone, was finally starting to come back at Leclerc. And, things were looking even more racy towards the midfield. After his earlier incident, Alonso was catching George Russell and Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes. Whereas both Williams drivers found themselves battling with the McLaren of Lando Norris. On Lap 8, there was slight concern down at Alpha Tauri after Yuki Tsunoda radioed in that he had a tear off strip stuck in his left sidepod. Nothing more was heard about that for the rest of the race.
Towards the end of the first 10 laps, drivers were starting to struggle with the tyres. Russell was told over team radio that his teammate, Hamilton, ahead of him was one of these drivers. Just moments later, Pierre Gasly, also struggling, made the first pitstop in 2023 for Alpine. And, it wasn't just tyres some drivers were struggling with. Norris started to experience engine problems on Lap 11 and during his pitstop, the McLaren team had to fill up his pneumatic air system - an issue that would trouble him for the rest of the race.
There was more action on Lap 12 when the official pit window opened and many decided to dive into the pits. The majority of drivers switched from the soft tyres to the hards. All bar Alex Albon, in the Williams, who put on another set of softs. Elsewhere, McLaren's misery continued on Lap 14 when they made the decision to retire Oscar Piastri from the race. A few laps passes and Norris is back in for another refill of air. Back out on track, Alpine's Esteban Ocon is given a 5-second penalty for being in the wrong position on the starting grid. After serving his 5-second penalty, things got worse for Ocon who is handed another penalty. This time it's 10-seconds, for serving his 5-second one incorrectly.
Back at the front of the grid, Verstappen is cruising away from the field nicely and on Lap 26, his teammate finally passes Leclerc for 2nd. Red Bull are back to the 1-2 they started the race with and, that's no surprise as both of their drivers are racing on softs. Elsewhere, Hamilton is told to pick up the pace as a charging Fernando Alonso is battling his way through the field. But, it's still doom and gloom for Ocon who is handed his third penalty of the race. His crime this time? Speeding down the pitlane.
Lap 30 and the second round of pitstops begin with Hamilton trying to avoid an undercut by Alonso. However, on Lap 35 it's Alonso's turn for new rubber. He come's out behind Hamilton and after a fantastic battle between the two, Alonso passes him for good on Lap 39.
Suddenly, on Lap 41, things go drastically wrong for Ferrari when Leclerc looses power and is out of the race. A Virtual Safety Car is put out while marshals recover his car. After one lap, the track is green once again. But still, it's the second Ferrari of Sainz now in the spotlight as he is Alonso's new target. And, on Lap 46, Sainz, with severe tyre deg, yields his podium spot to his fellow countryman. Alonso was now in a podium position. Poor Sainz was now in 4th with Hamilton coming from behind. During the Alonso/Sainz battle, Ocon decides to call it a day and retires the car. Stroll, who has had a relatively quiet race, goes wide on the exit of Turn 10 on Lap 53. Russell takes advantage of this and nabs 6th from the Canadian driver.
Two laps away from the chequered flag and it's still a Red Bull 1-2. Hamilton seems to have given up all hopes on catching Carlos Sainz and drops back at least 2 seconds.
Lap 57, the final lap, is quick to come around and Verstappen takes the flag. He has dominated the whole the race, as everyone expected. Perez finishes 2nd. Another Red Bull 1-2. And,making up the podium places in 3rd is Fernando Alonso for Aston Martin. A podium that has been coming for some time.
Other point finishers are Carlos Sainz in 4th, 5th is Lewis Hamilton, Lance Stroll is 6th with George Russell in 7th. Alfa Romeo and Valtteri Bottas finished in 8th, Pierre Gasly was 9th and the final points place went to Alex Albon in the Williams.
So, there we have it. The first race is done with Verstappen and Red Bull continuing where they left off last season. Aston Martin, especially Alonso are looking good. Could they be regular podium sitters? Elsewhere, Ferrari and Mercedes seem to be way off where they want to be and as for McLaren. Well. It's not looking good.
Anyway, it's time to rest for two weeks now until we go again in Saudi Arabia.
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