2023 Bahrain Grand Prix Takeaways

The 2023 Formula 1 season is underway, first dropping the checkered flag at the Bahrain International Circuit. With a good number of rookie drivers, car updates, and new driver pairings, there were plenty of memorable moments to relive from the race. With that, let’s get started with the top 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix storylines.

Key Takeaways from the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix

No better way to start the season than with a 1-2 @redbullracing were well on top in Bahrain, and their clever strategy ensured they stayed there #BahrainGP #F1

— Formula 1 (@F1) March 6, 2023

Aston Martin rises from the ashes

The pre-season testing hype lives on for Aston Martin. Alonso scored his first podium finish in his first Grand Prix with the team. His departure from Alpine caused issues left and right, but the two-time champion may have gotten things right this time. It looks like the constructor is on pace to pierce through the midfield since finishing seventh in the Constructors’ Championship last year.

Alonso defied doubts concerning his age. The 41-year-old Spaniard pulled off incredible overtakes like he was racing Michael Schumacher during his prime. His overtaking sequence with Lewis Hamilton took us back to 17 years ago when the two were teammates at Mercedes-McLaren. After dealing with the Mercedes driver, Alonso followed this up by passing Carlos Sainz on Lap 45 to secure P3. It’s also worth noting that Leclerc’s mechanical misfortune put the Aston Martin driver within a shot of a podium finish.

The Bahrain Grand Prix yielded Fernando’s best result since finishing third in the 2021 Qatar GP and the constructor’s first podium since Sebastian Vettel’s P3 in Azerbaijan in that same year. He solidified his position in the Drivers’ Championship race as a +1,100 winner.

Ultimately, this is not just about Alonso’s emergence from the midfield. Sunday’s result also magnifies how Aston Martin threatens Ferrari and Mercedes. Lance Stroll also scored points and finished his best race since Singapore last year to put his team right behind Red Bull in the Constructors’ standings with 23 points.

Red Bull controls the race

Red Bull and Max Verstappen made up for their poor start last season and finished the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix in dominant fashion. The constructor picked up right where they left off last season, with the Dutchman crossing the line in P1, nearly 12 seconds ahead of his teammate Sergio Perez and 38 seconds ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso. The 25-year-old secured his 36th career victory and first in Bahrain. He waited for eight races before eventually winning at the Bahrain International Circuit. More than that, the two-time champion has a shot at becoming the first driver to win the opening race and the title since Nico Rosberg in 2016.

The defending champion led the race as soon as the lights went out. It was a comfortable race for him despite facing a minor downshift issue. Red Bull also had a solid strategy in place, helping both drivers set the tempo throughout the 57-lap race. The constructor secured maximum points last weekend and tops the table with 43 points.

The duo looks unfazed heading to Saudi Arabia. It’s also where Verstappen won his first race last season, so expect the -357 favorite to start the next race weekend on a high.

More Ferrari misfortune

The disappointment starts early for Ferrari this year. Engine reliability and tire degradation continue to haunt +1,100 Drivers’ Championship favorites Charles Leclerc and +4,000 Carlos Sainz. The former ran a solid race and had a good hold of P3 until the knots emerged. The team did well in pre-season testing and hardly had any problems after putting down hundreds of laps. But, whatever updates they made to the car failed on race day.

Leclerc’s setback happened on Lap 41. He suddenly lost power and had to retire the car, which bumped teammate Sainz into a podium position. However, a blistering Alonso put pressure on his fellow Spaniard. The former Red Bull and McLaren driver lost his tires even before the 41-year-old passed him. The incident put Ferrari’s tire management under the spotlight as well.

Nevertheless, the turn of events handed over intense 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix storylines. Looking over the Red Bull one-two finish, the narrative gave a glimpse of how exciting the series will be moving forward.

The rest of the grid

Oscar Piastri’s debut race was not as gripping as many anticipated. The Australian driver retired his McLaren after suffering mechanical issues. Teammate Lando Norris also had a tough time dealing with pneumatic issues with his car and ended up being lapped by the race winner twice. It was a tough weekend for the Surrey-based constructor.

Nyck de Vries and Locan Sargeant closed their stints in P12 and P14 accordingly. We’ve seen some pace come from the American driver as he nearly scored points in his debut. Meanwhile, teammate Alex Albon did get his first point of the season as he finished P10 by the final lap despite AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda behind him and within DRS range.

Two sleepers in Valtteri Bottas and Pierre Gasly bagged points in P8 and P9, respectively. The Alfa Romeo driver stayed solid in the midfield while the Frenchman gained nine places at the expense of opponent mechanical issues and bad pit calls.

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