Verstappen leads Red Bull 1-2 finish at Bahrain GP, Alonso secures 99th career F1 podium

New season, another victory. Max Verstappen won the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix from pole position on Sunday, leading almost the entire race as he opened the defence of his back-to-back Formula One titles.

Red Bull also clinched a dominant 1-2 with Sergio Perez finishing second while 41-year-old Fernando Alonso took a brilliant third place — and claimed a 99th career podium — on a stunning race debut for Aston Martin.

"I'm so proud of you guys," a jubilant Alonso told his team.

It was Verstappen's 36th career win but the Dutchman's first at the flood-lit Sakhir circuit, where he retired just laps from the end in last year's opening race.

"That was exactly the start to the season we needed," Verstappen said.

Super Max