F1 Bahrain GP 2023 Highlights: Max Verstappen wins race, Fernando Alonso on podium

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The Formula 1 (F1) season 2023 is here, and for the first race, we have the spectacle opening on a speedy-sandy opening track in Bahrain with the Bahrain GP 2023.

Bahrain International Circuit is ready to host the first race of the Formula 1 (F1) calendar. Fans have flocked in thousands for the race weekend to support their respective teams- with enthusiasm across the 3.36 miles circuit. Ensconced in Sakhir, the Bahrain GP has its individuality to stand out amidst the rest of the locations.

The desert terrain poses a unique predicament for the ten teams in contention, as the air and track temperatures drop rapidly during the night. The track temperatures are responsible for the tire temperatures. It impacts their degradation period and their grip. It might sound insignificant, but even a few degrees of alterations in track temperature can influence how a team performs.

The teams must also constantly monitor the engines for the floating sand. The sands breezing around can slip through the engine’s filtration and cause significant damage.

Max Verstappen seized the first pole position of the year with a lap time of 1:29.708 yesterday. The Dutch World Champion extended his two-year dominance further with his 21st pole position aided by the RB19. It is a front-row lockout for Red Bull, as Sergio Perez clocked in the second-best with both Ferraris stranded in the second row.

Team strategies will play a crucial role, as will the positions secured in the qualifying. Bahrain GP will leave plenty of room for errors. Amongst possible narratives that can transpire, we are particularly interested in some.

Red Bull and Max Verstappen completely dominated the 2022 season after they sorted out their reliability issues. With 7 poles, 15 wins and 17 podiums, Max had no match. Ferrari started off the season with a bang in Bahrain, but it all went downhill. Mercedes became the second-best team after the half-season mark.

Alpine and McLaren had close table fight in the midfield, even though Alpine were much faster. Aston Martin made a late surge into the top of the lower midfield. After Vettel’s retirement, Fernando Alonso will be taking the charge of Aston Martin, who have looked good in the testing.

At Mclaren, Daniel Ricciardo has been replaced by Oscar Piastri. Whereas Williams have replaced Nicholas Latifi with Logan Sargent; making him the first American driver on the grid since 2015.