Three-time world champion Max Verstappen started his title defence in flawless style on Saturday when he guided his Red Bull workforce to a crushing one-two triumph, forward of team-mate Sergio Perez, on the Bahrain Grand Prix. In an announcement of emphatic superiority, the 26-year-old Dutchman got here dwelling 22.5 seconds away from Perez, who began from fifth, to ease among the strain on workforce boss Christian Horner. Pole sitter Verstappen held off the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc to steer into the primary nook, and it was enterprise as typical from there to the flag as he loved the proper begin to his quest for a fourth consecutive title.

By claiming the thirty third pole of his profession, quickest lap and race win, Verstappen delivered the twelfth ‘hat-trick’ of his profession leaving solely the seven-time champions Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton forward on 22 and 19 trebles respectively.

It was Verstappen’s eighth successive win, his fifty fifth race victory and 99th podium end as Red Bull dominated an uneventful race on a chilly night at Sakhir’s Bahrain International Circuit.

it additionally prolonged his run as championship chief to 40 races for the reason that 2022 Spanish Grand Prix.

“Unbelievable!” mentioned Verstappen.

“I think today went better than expected and we had a lot of pace. It was super-enjoyable to drive and we stayed out of trouble. It’s a good start to the year – it couldn’t be better.

“It was loads of enjoyable. And it’s totally particular to have days like as we speak because it would not occur usually, when all the things is all comfortable with the automotive. It felt nice as we speak.”

Team-mate Perez praised the team.

“The workforce positively had good momentum. We’ve acquired to stick with it now for the approaching weekends,” he said.

“It was the utmost we might obtain – a difficult race with the tyre administration and many to be taught from the race.”

Carlos Sainz, whose seat at Ferrari is to be taken by Hamilton next year, finished a pugnacious third ahead of team-mate Charles Leclerc, who profited from a rare error by Mercedes George Russell in the closing laps.

“I felt actually good as we speak and had good tempo. We had a transparent plan and it labored properly,” said Sainz.

“I managed my tyres after which I might overtake a number of automobiles on the best way to the rostrum. An excellent step ahead in comparison with final 12 months.”

Russell finished fifth ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris, Hamilton in the second Mercedes, Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren and the Aston Martin duo two-time champion Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.

Horner show of unity

After days of speculation, Red Bull boss Horner arrived hand in hand with his wife, former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell – a show of unity following the release on Thursday of a cache of alleged messages from him to a female member of staff.

That had come just 24 hours after he had been cleared by Red Bull’s internal investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

On track, the team showed no apparent distraction as Verstappen topped qualifying to secure his 33rd pole position – and lead the pack when the lights went out in cold, dry conditions in the desert.

The Dutchman made a clean start and led from lights to flag.

When he came in for his final set of new softs at the end of lap 37, he re-joined with a 17-second cushion ahead of Perez.

It was a commanding performance from the champion, decorated with a fastest lap of 1:32.608 as he cruised through the final 16 laps: a lap that was fully 1.5 seconds quicker than any other.

“Look, it has been the absolute best begin to the season,” said Horner afterwards.

“Very medical from the workforce and a well-executed race. The good begin.”

Asked about his own position and the confidence that Red Bull’s owners have in him, Horner was bullish.

“Do I’ve their backing? Absolutely, sure,” he said. “Otherwise, I would not be right here.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)