Bahrain Grand Prix Review: Sir Lewis Reigns Supreme

Sir Lewis Hamilton claimed a sensational win with one of the best drives of his career in 2021's inaugural race.

Race Roundup

Max Verstappen was P1 in all three practice sessions and took pole with a blistering lap on Saturday afternoon, but the Dutchman couldn't quite convert it all into the win.

Red Bull went into the weekend boasting the best car for the first time since 2013 and the majority of spectators expected them to take victory, but when Sergio Perez's debut race for the team began from the pitlane exit due to issues on the formation lap, things began to turn.

Verstappen then complained of issues whilst fighting off a determined Hamilton on the first lap before Nikita Mazepin span out, causing a safety car on the opening lap of the rookie's debut F1 race in the Haas.

With a quarter of the race gone, Red Bull's flying Dutchman was still leading the way by two seconds until a strategy masterstroke from Mercedes saw Hamilton pit for hard tyres to make the undercut. Usually, the race leader would pit on the following lap, but Christian Horner's men kept on going, with Hamilton's effective lead growing with each lap.

After two stops each, then, Hamilton was in front thanks to his team's superior decision making, but he had one hell of a job keeping Max behind.

After an early scare from Charles Leclerc, teammate Valtteri Bottas was practically home and hosed in third despite Lando Norris' rapid pace on place behind, so Toto Wolff was able to direct all attention to the seven-time World Champion, and there was one dramatic moment left.

Sebastian Vettel was struggling to stay in the points in his Aston Martin, Räikkönen tried to get in them and Fernando Alonso retired from the race, but the only other World Champion on the grid led by example.

Heading towards turn four with as many laps left, Verstappen got himself within DRS range of the Black Arrow and sent it round the outside. Braking late, Lewis forced Max into a decision: back out and wait - or rather hope - for another chance or just go for it. This is Max Verstappen. There was only one option.

The Dutchman stayed on the throttle and brilliantly controlled his Red Bull to veer round and in front of the Mercedes but, heartbreakingly, all four wheels left the track in the process and the position was handed back.

That proved to be the final opportunity to make the race-winning move and Sir Lewis Hamilton held on to claim a simply stunning victory against the odds. 'He only wins because he's in the best car', they said. We'll he's proved them all wrong. What a race.

Talking Points

Mercedes are Champions for a reason

Toto Wolff repeated stated that Red Bull were the favourites going into the weekend and he wasn't wrong. The entire grid could see that Christian Horner's team were the ones to beat in Bahrain. That being said, though, they haven't won a Championship since 2013 and it showed. Strategy was always going to play a massive role in who was on the top step of the podium and Mercedes played a blinder. They caught their opponents cold. That's what champions do.

McLaren look quick

With Lando Norris 4th and Daniel Ricciardo 7th on his team debut, McLaren look like they mean business already. Their brilliant engineering has set them up stronger than they have been for the best part of ten years and a fair few of us backed them for an outside bet of a podium in Bahrain. If they hold this kind of pace as a minimum throughout the year, there's no doubt we'll see them make the top three.

Ferrari fighting back

2020 was horrendous for Ferrari, but the famous red cars both put in impressive displays to take 6th and 8th on Sunday. Carlos Sainz's debut drive was solid and consistent, something which Ferrari will be desperate for this year and Charles Leclerc will now be looking up the grid instead of down it. Fingers crossed they can keep it up.

Haas look doomed

Just one race in and Haas look done for this year. Fair enough, they're focusing entirely on 2022, but their drivers didn't put in a very good showing at all. Headline-maker Nikita Mazepin put his car in the wall on the opening lap and Mick Schumacher nearly did the same. It's hard for him to impress in the car and it'll be a long old season.