How and where to watch F1 in the UAE

The 2022 Formula One season got off to an unexpected start as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc won the Bahrain Grand Prix after world champion Max Verstappen retired with just three laps remaining.

Leclerc led teammate Carlos Sainz home in a one-two for a resurgent Ferrari.

Red Bull driver Verstappen, who went wheel-to-wheel with Leclerc on several occasions, was on course for second but was forced to retire after losing power. Teammate Sergio Perez appeared to suffer the same fate from third place on the final lap.

Mercedes' seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton had reasons to celebrate as a third-place finish at Sakhir exceeded his expectations.

"This is really the best result we could have got," said Hamilton.

"A big, big congratulations to Ferrari, it's so good to see them doing well again," he added. "It was such a difficult race - we've struggled throughout practice and this was the best result we could hope for. We're grateful for these points."

Race winner and 2021 Formula One World Drivers Champion Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and his Red Bull Racing team celebrate on the podium after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit. Victor Besa / The National

Ferrari's return to form is expected to boost Formula One and help sell more tickets, according to chief executive Stefano Domenicali.

The Maranello-based team are F1's most decorated team but Leclerc's win at Sakhir was their first since 2019.

Sunday's win raised hopes that Ferrari have mastered this season's radical rules overhaul and are back in contention.

The action moves to Saudi Arabia for the next race this weekend. With the cars heavier and with bigger wheels, in a change aimed at making overtaking easier and the racing more competitive and