New season, another victory. Max Verstappen won the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday from pole position and led nearly the entire race as he began defending back-to-back Formula One titles.

Red Bull also finished in second place, 12 seconds behind Sergio Perez, with a 1–2 raid and 41-year-old Fernando Alonso took a spectacular third place in a spectacular first race for Aston Martin, taking his 99th career podium. .

Alonso’s fans are already tagging this season as “Mission 33”; It is hoped that the Spanish driver can win his 33rd career race. His last win was 10 years ago with Ferrari.

This was the Dutchman’s first race on the floodlit Sakhir circuit, where he retired just a few laps after the final laps of last year’s inaugural race.

Neither Red Bull finished here in 2022.

After winning last year, this time it’s Charles Leclerc, who retired on Lap 41 of Lap 57 when his Ferrari lost power.

Leclerc’s retirement caused panic at Ferrari, and Carlos Sainz Jr didn’t even bother to defend against Alonso, who passed him with 11 laps left.

Sainz finished fourth and fifth, ahead of seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, while Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll finished sixth.

Stroll’s performance was impressive considering he missed pre-season testing due to an injury he sustained in a cycling accident that required minor surgery to his right wrist.

Red Bull’s 1-2 see them as leaders in the builders ranking.

Aston Martin and Mercedes are currently in second and third place, respectively, ahead of the next race on March 19 in Saudi Arabia.