18:05 – End of the live!
Thank you everyone for following us on this first Grand Prix of the F1 season. Good evening !
18:00 – The race summary
Max Verstappen starts the season with a bang. He won the Bahrain GP without shaking. From the start, the reigning world champion managed to keep his first place ahead of Charles Leclerc who will have a difficult start to the race. The Monegasque is eaten by his pursuers and in particular by his teammate. He is even the first to stop by choice but that will not really change the situation. He was overtaken again by his teammate who was also leaving the pits. Unleashed, Carlos Sainz even passes George Russell in third place. The second pit stops don’t really change the situation. Verstappen remains leader ahead of his teammate Sergio Perez who is under pressure from Carlos Sainz from afar. The Dutchman took the opportunity to set the best time of the day. Behind the three leading men, Charles Leclerc is doing better and puts pressure on George Russell in the last 15 laps. Precisely 11 laps from the finish, Charles Leclerc managed to overtake the Mercedes driver following an error on the part of the latter who went wide at turn number 10. The end-of-race battles took place mainly in the second half of the standings. The top 10 will remain unchanged. For the two Frenchmen from Alpine, the afternoon was particularly difficult as expected with a 17th and 18th position for Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly. The latter, like the 18 other drivers on the grid, will not have time to rest since the second Grand Prix of the season will take place in a week in Saudi Arabia.
17:50 – Words from the first winner of the season
Max Verstappen gave his first impressions after this Bahrain GP: “Today was better than expected. It was very pleasant to drive and I couldn’t have dreamed of better. I had a lot of fun and It’s always special to experience these kinds of evenings.”
17:45 – The first zigzags of the season
Max Verstappen took the time to slalom before crossing the finish line in this Bahrain GP to sign his first victory of this new F1 season.
17:40 – Victory is complete for Verstappen
In addition to his brilliant victory during this Bahrain GP, Max Verstappen and Red Bull take the lead this weekend. The Dutchman took pole position and set the fastest lap today. Sergio Perez finished in second position.
17:35 – Verstappen as boss!
Max Verstappen is as imperial as last season! The reigning world champion won without the slightest problem in Sakhir and ahead of his teammate Sergio Perez. Carlos Sainz completes the podium.
17:34 – The last round! (57/57)
Barring a huge mistake, Max Verstappen will get his first victory of the season in this Bahrain GP. The reigning world champion begins the final lap. The podium seems to be taking shape. Perez is second ahead of Carlos Sainz.
17:32 – Tsunoda complains (55/57)
After letting Daniel Ricciardo pass, Yuki Tsunoda complains on the radio because the Australian cannot overtake Kevin Magnussen.
17:27 – Tsunoda’s first angry outbursts (52/57)
The Japanese, who is closing in on Magnussen, is furious after an order from his engineer to let Ricciardo pass. The Australian will then in turn try to overtake the Dane. If this strategy does not work, Daniel Ricciardo will return 13th place to his teammate.
17:25 – Ocon slips to 17th place (51/57)
The Alpine driver is overtaken by Hulkenberg at the end of the Bahrain GP. The chalice to the dregs for the two French people today.
17:23 – Gasly and Ocon can’t do it (49/57)
It’s not a huge surprise but it’s been a long afternoon for the two Alpine drivers. Pierre Gasly is 18th while Esteban Ocon is in 16th place.
17:20 – Alonso finishes well (49/57)
The Spaniard has new tires and returns to ninth place in this Bahrain GP. He is now ahead of his teammate Lance Stroll who provisionally takes the last point.
17:20 – 10 laps left (48/57)
Max Verstappen enters the 48th lap of this Bahrain GP. The reigning world champion is 17′ ahead of Sergio Perez and is heading towards a first victory this season.
17:17 – RUSSELL CRACKS (47/57)
The Briton ends up going wide in turn number 10 and lets Charles Leclerc pass who climbs to fourth place. The Monegasque’s pressure paid off!
17:16 – Leclerc puts pressure on (45/57)
The Monegasque is doing everything he can to grab a place at the end of the Grand Prix. He shifts to signal his presence to George Russell who seems in trouble.