Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas finished eighth in the opening race of the F1 season in Bahrain.
5.3. 18:41•Updated 5.3. 19:35
Two-time World Champion, Red Bull Max Vertappen drove to an overwhelming victory in the opening race of the F1 season in Bahrain. Verstappen defeated his teammate by Sergio Perez almost 12 seconds apart.
– The first stint, in which I separated myself from the others, was really good. After that, it was just looking behind the tires, Verstappen summarized in the interview
Driving second until the middle of the race Charles Leclerc lost his place to Perez and eventually had to retire due to engine trouble.
– This is a great start. We’ve been working hard over the winter so it’s great to see everyone enjoying their first ride. We have a really strong car, Perez said.
Aston Martin took third place towards the end of the race Fernando Alonsowhich passed Carlos Sainz.
– This is awesome! It’s amazing what Aston Martin did over the winter. The second best car in the opening race of the season, this is unreal, Alonso marveled in an interview.
Aston Martin has been one of the most talked about teams. Alonso showed his speed in the winter tests and training and finally the Spaniard got off to a great start in his new team.
– This is a pleasant car to drive, Alonso enthused already during the race on the team radio.
Alfa Romeo Valtteri Bottas rose fantastically at the start, four places and eighth. However, the straightaway speed of the car was nowhere near that of the tougher competitors, so Bottas, who was temporarily sixth after the pit stops, was finally eighth.
In an interview with Viaplay, Bottas thought the start was good and stated that a lot of work has been done for them.
– They are finally starting to fall into place. That’s what it takes in almost every race, Bottas stated.
– The first round also went well. It was really important today because the competition in the middle class is so even. It’s not easy to get up if you fall at the start. That was important.
Bottas had to strain his points until the end, because Pierre Gasly chased the Finn on softer tires. However, Nastolainen’s lead was sufficient, so Gasly did not have time to pass Bottas.
– I went a little too tight. Everything was at stake. One or two laps, it would have been over, Bottas stated.
Bahrain gp results:
1. Max Verstappen’s Red Bull
2. Sergio Perez Red Bull + 11,987
3. Fernando Alonso Aston Ma + 38.637
4. Carlos Sainz Jr. Ferrari + 48.052
5. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes + 50.977
6. Lance Stroll Aston Ma + 54.502
7. George Russell Mercedes + 55,873
8. Valtteri Bottas Alfa Rom +1.12,647
9. Pierre Gasly BWT Alpi +1.13.753
10. Alexander Albon Williams +1.29,774
11. Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTau +1.30,870
12. Logan Sargeant Williams +1 lap.
13. Kevin Magnussen Haas +1 lap.
14. Nyck de Vries AlphaTau +1 round.
15. Nico Hulkenberg Haas +1 lap.
16. Guanyu Zhou Alpha Rom +1 round.
17. Lando Norris McLaren +2 laps.
Charles Leclerc Ferrari central
Esteban Ocon BWT Alpi central.
Oscar Piastri McLaren middle