Speed, reliability, resurgence: Three things we learnt after Bahrain Grand Prix

Max Verstappen demonstrated that he and Red Bull have the pace to win another world title double when he and Sergio Perez claimed a one-two at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

But the Dutchman was upstaged for dramatic impact on Sunday by Fernando Alonso's storming podium finish for Aston Martin, confirming that the Silverstone-based team have the potential to challenge Ferrari and Mercedes at the front.

AFP Sport looks at three lessons from the first of a record 23-race championship under floodlights at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Centre stage again #BahrainGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/JbVNJleoi4

Red Bull shows speed

Despite an ordinary showing in practice after a winter during which their wind tunnel time was trimmed severely, Red Bull dominated qualifying and the race to render any contest, in Sakhir at least, to a procession.

Having chosen to focus on race performance through most of all three practice sessions and then outpacing the field in qualifying, the Red Bulls were in a class of their own.

READ: Verstappen 'very happy to finally win' in Bahrain on 10th attempt

Double world champion Verstappen led from lights to flag and was in cruise control as he sealed his first season-opening win and first in Bahrain, at the 10th attempt.

Rival George Russell of Mercedes-AMG declared afterwards that Red Bull had both championships "sewn up" already as his team, and Ferrari, failed to show any improvement on last year and were outpaced by Aston Martin.

Typically, the Dutchman warned against any kind of early complacency and called for continuous car development, with special attention paid to the team's slow start to the weekend's work.

After coming home almost 12 seconds clear of Perez, Verstappen made clear he did not