Verstappen dominates Bahrain GP to open F1 season
Red Bull superstar and three-time defending champion Max Verstappen won the first race of the 2024 Formula 1 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday.
Verstappen's teammate, Sergio Perez, finished second, while Ferrari's Carlos Sainz rounded out the podium. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc claimed a fourth-place finish.
The 26-year-old Verstappen, who's won 18 of his last 19 races dating back to last season, beat Perez by 22.4 seconds.
RACE CLASSIFICATION (LAP 57/57)
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 2, 2024
Verstappen notches career win No. 55 👏👏👏#F1 #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/E8yh7MjVP6
The Dutchman started the Bahrain GP from pole position to win the 55th race of his career.
Red Bull's dominant showing comes after the team's parent company cleared principal Christian Horner following a misconduct investigation.
Meanwhile, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton finished seventh as he enters his last season with Mercedes before joining Ferrari in 2025.