Bahrain Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc Wins Race As Max Verstappen Drop Out Over Engine Failure

 

Charles Leclerc kicked off the season with his first race win since 2019 in Italy and was followed in line by his teammate Carlos Sainz for a one-two win for Ferrari. 

The podium position saw Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton in the third while Red Bull's Red Bull's Max Verstappen dropped out due to engine failure that thwarted the title defender's fierce battle with the pole-sitter Leclerc. 

Sainz, after the race, sent a warning to their rivals that "Ferrari is back and its properly back" in contest for F1 Championship title. However, Leclerc described being at the top on the podium as an "incredible" feeling. 

Verstappen started his battle for the pole early into the race before Leclerc emerged in the lead again on Lap 16 but his lead had been narrowed to 0.35s from 3.5s. 

Eventually, the Dutchman had to back off after experiencing steering issue which was suspected to have been caused by issues with the power unit. At this time, he was on Lap 51 and Leclerc had sped off into the distance ahead of him. 

Hamilton seized that opportunity given him by another engine failure experienced by Red Bull's Sergio Perez while he was tailing Spaniard before the incident. The Briton and his teammate George Russell as a result had the convenience  to move up and finished in the third and fourth respective.