At the sharp end of the Formula 1 grid, it is crystal clear that Red Bull has stolen an early march at the start of the new season. Delivering on the immense promise shown by the RB19 in testing, Max Verstappen opened the campaign in Bahrain with pole position and an utterly controlled victory. Thanks to stablemate Sergio Perez banking second at both times of asking, the team was just short of a point for fastest lap for a perfect score to kick off the campaign.
Fernando Alonso stunned in wheel-to-wheel battle to complete the podium, while Lance Stroll battling through injury to clock sixth proves the Aston Martin AMR23 is a rapid and confidence-inspiring creation. Although there are still questions concerning Ferrari’s tyre degradation and lingering unreliability, plus the Mercedes camp is crestfallen now that its car concept has been brutally exposed, neither are propping up the times.
