Verstappen takes dominant victory at Bahrain, Perez second, Sainz third

SAKHIR, Bahrain -- Max Verstappen's pursuit of a fourth successive Formula One title started in dominant fashion with victory ahead of his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

The reigning champion's victory margin stood at 22.4 seconds by the chequered flag, eclipsing the one he held over Perez at the same race 12 months ago by over 10 seconds.

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz finished third, just 2.7 seconds off Perez, but the small gap never looked like a genuine threat to Red Bull's one-two victory.

Verstappen, 26, said in interview afterwards that the race "couldn't have been better."

"Today went even better than expected, the car was really nice to drive," he said. "On every [tyre] compound I think we had a lot of pace and it was super enjoyable to drive today we stayed out of trouble and a great start of the year. Couldn't have been better.

"It was a lot of fun, I felt really good in the car. It's always very special to have these days because they don't happen often that it just all goes perfect ... you are at one with the car and everything feels great," he later added.

Meanwhile, Perez said tyre management was tricky and there's a lot to learn for Jeddah next weekend.

"Well, I think it was a maximum week we have achieved," he said. "It was quite a tricky race with management of the tyres there is plenty we will learn from tonight's race which is important for the championship but overall, I think it's a great way to start the season.

"It was compound to compound the amount of sliding we were having, we were having some issues with the engine braking, the reliability which is not easy around here as there is plenty of low speed but I'm sure we will analyse that tonight and learn for Jeddah.

"It's a good team momentum and we have to keep it up for the coming weekends."

Jakub Porzycki/Anadolu via Getty Images

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Sainz, who managed to keep within three seconds of Perez, said: "I felt really good out there today.

"The start wasn't ideal but from then on I managed my tyres well and then from there I could do my pace and overtook two or three cars on the way to the podium and then keeping up with the Red Bull there at the end which was a pleasant surprise. It's still not enough, where we want to be, but a good step forward compared to last year and a solid start to the season."

Hope that Verstappen's rivals would put up a fight evaporated after just a handful of laps as the Dutch driver eased away from the rest of the of the field..

At the first corner of the opening lap Charles Leclerc, who finished the race fourth, attempted to pass Verstappen around the outside but ran out of track on the exit of the corner and came under pressure from George Russell's Mercedes.

Russell passed Leclerc for second place on lap three, before losing the position to Perez, who started fifth on the grid, on lap 14. Russell finally dropped to fifth with 10 laps remaining when Leclerc re-passed him at Turn 10.

Lando Norris secured sixth for McLaren ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who radioed his team early in the race to say his seat had broken in his Mercedes' cockpit. Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren finished eighth ahead of the Aston Martins of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.

The next race is in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on March 9.