Formula 1
EL MACHISMO ON THE PODIUM FOR ASTON MARTIN! RED BULL DOMINATE WITH A 1, 2 FINISH AND MERCEDES ARE PERHAPS THINKING MAYBE SIDE POD CHANGES? BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO.
Portrait, Podium, TS-Live, Bahrain International Circuit, GP2301a, F1, GP, Bahrain
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Team, 3rd position, celebrates on the podium
FERNANDO ALONSO: “This is an incredible result from the entire team and we must enjoy this moment. I am very proud of the job everybody has done. We did not have the best start, but the race pace was strong. The car has been very predictable from day one [of testing] and I have felt very comfortable throughout the whole weekend. I really enjoyed the race and, even after the chequered flag, I felt like I could have driven for another hour!
We had some great fights out there today, especially with [Carlos] Sainz and [Lewis] Hamilton. Lewis is a legend of the sport and it was great to have so much respect between us out there. It was also an incredible effort from Lance, who was a hero today for driving so well so soon after his injury to pick up some great points.
You can feel the energy in the team: everybody is working flat out at the moment and we are all very motivated. This weekend feels like a dream, but we must stay realistic because this is just one track and the first race. Jeddah is a very different kind of circuit; a very different challenge. I cannot wait to get back in the car.”
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – MARCH 05: Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on March 05, 2023 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool.
Max Verstappen got off the line quickly at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday to lay the foundation for a comfortable first victory as teammate Sergio Pérez completed the 1-2 to wrap up a perfect start to the defence of Oracle Red Bull Racing’s FIA Formula One World Championship titles.
Dutchman Verstappen managed to hold off the field from pole position as the RB19 looked imperious with Mexican Pérez dropping to third off the line, however fighting back to finish ahead of Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team’s Fernando Alonso who drove well for third.
Verstappen, 25, said: “It was a very good first stint where I made my gap and, from there, it was all about looking after the tyres. Very happy to finally also win here in Bahrain.”
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – MARCH 05: Sergio Perez of Mexico driving the (11) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on March 05, 2023 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool.
Checo: “We worked really hard over the winter. We have a strong package and it was important today to get the car to the end. The start put me out of contention for the win.”
“My start wasn’t ideal, Charles was a little too aggressive, pushed me to the right and I did my best to avoid him. That meant my first stint wasn’t ideal, Charles was very strong on that new tyre and it was difficult to get through him quickly enough. I think that’s where I lost out to Max, I was behind him by about 10 or 12 seconds and after that it was game over on catching Max, it was all about getting Charles. It was important to get by him, minimise the damage and get that P2 for the Team. There are a lot of improvements we can still make to try and make our car better, there is still plenty of work going on behind the scenes. On this tarmac we have been very strong but Bahrain is a very unique circuit and things will be closer at other circuits.”