Charles Leclerc & Max Verstappen exchange lead three times in epic duel - video

Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen could well be title rivals this season in Formula 1, and the two have already gone wheel to wheel in an epic duel at the first race of the year; the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Leclerc led the field away from pole position with Verstappen following closely behind at the start of the race, whilst Carlos Sainz in the second Ferrari slotted in in third place.

It was around the first set of pit-stops where the first duel for the lead took place, meanwhile, with Verstappen opting to pit a little earlier for fresh tyres.

Indeed, the Dutchman’s pace on said tyres was very good, and by the time Leclerc had pitted and returned to the track, the two were practically on the same piece of tarmac.

That said, then, it wasn’t long until the two were in close-quarters combat with the reigning world champion overtaking Leclerc three times for the lead into the first corner on three successive laps, before the Monegasque driver reclaimed the lead each time.

Relive the epic action in Bahrain now with Sky Sports sharing Max’s lunges on Twitter:

✨ SPARKS FLYING! ✨

Verstappen