Bahrain GP: Max Verstappen dominates F1 2023 opener as Fernando Alonso storms to podium after Ferrari woe

Max Verstappen wins by 12 seconds from Sergio Perez, Fernando Alonso brilliantly overtakes Carlos Sainz, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell for Aston Martin podium; Charles Leclerc was running third but retires with Ferrari engine failure

Max Verstappen eased to a dominant win at the Bahrain GP as Red Bull left their competition behind to start the 2023 Formula 1 season, albeit with Fernando Alonso starring to take a stunning podium for Aston Martin.

Verstappen, aiming for a third straight world championship this year, won his first-ever season-opener at a canter after holding his pole position at the start and then racing away, with favourites Red Bull enjoying a dream one-two.

Charles Leclerc was running third behind Sergio Perez, who he had passed off the line before being re-overtaken later in the race, but then suffered a crushing Ferrari power failure with 17 laps remaining.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Charles Leclerc lost power in his Ferrari as he was forced to retire from third in the season opener.

And Ferrari would then lose the final podium place again thanks to a charging Alonso, who lit up F1’s season-opener.

Alonso, having already brilliantly passed the Mercedes of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, the second with a glorious move to catch his fellow multi-world champion off guard, then charged past Spanish compatriot Carlos Sainz on Lap 46 of 57.

More to follow.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso climbed to fifth after a fantastic tussle with Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton.

What’s next?

The Formula 1 2023 season continues with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from the sport’s fastest street track in Jeddah.

The action is all live on Sky Sports F1 from March 17-19, with Sunday’s race at 5pm.