Defending champion Max Verstappen has coasted to victory in Saturday's Bahrain Grand Prix.
Having qualified on pole, the Red Bull driver knew that he would have the chance to dominate the season's opening race if he reached the first corner in the lead.
That is exactly how it panned out, with Verstappen smartly keeping Charles Leclerc at bay before soaring off into the distance as his rivals squabbled for the places behind him.
Verstappen eventually secured the win by 22.457 seconds from teammate Sergio Perez, who will be delighted with second after starting fifth on the grid.
Carlos Sainz Jr completed the podium spots in what will be deemed an excellent start to the campaign, ahead of teammate Leclerc.
The three British drivers finished in fifth, sixth and seventh with Lando Norris sixth in the McLaren in between the Mercedes pair of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.
Oscar Piastri had to make do with eighth position with Aston Martin duo Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll securing the minor points places.
Formula's 1's Middle-East swings continues as soon as next week with the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix next Saturday. body check tags ::
