In a thrilling finale, Verstappen’s car appeared to have the speed to take his 12th Grand Prix win, and in the closing stages the Dutchman briefly took the lead, then returned it to Hamilton after running far from the track .
“Great job, guys,” said Hamilton, speaking to the Mercedes team radio. “I’m so grateful. Everyone back at the factory … working so hard. I know we weren’t fast enough, but we made it.”
Hamilton, who is vying for the eighth world title, appears to be having a real battle given the speed of Verstappen’s Red Bull car.
“It’s a shame, of course, but you also have to see the positives,” Verstappen told Sky Sports. “We’re fighting her (Mercedes) so it’s great to start the year like this.”
Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas finished third, even though he was 37 seconds behind.
“I’m disappointed with how it went,” said Bottas. “Lewis and I had different strategies today – things could have been better on my part.”
READ: Hamilton spoke to Bahraini officials about human rights issues
Seesaw race
This was Hamilton’s 96th Grand Prix win and his first season opening win since 2015.
“Max was over me in the end but just managed to hold it, one of the toughest races I’ve had in a while,” said Hamilton.
The opening lap had to be interrupted within a minute after the Russian Nikita Mazepin, who was making his F1 debut, crashed his Haas car into the barrier at turn three.
At last season’s Bahrain GP, Romain Grosjean’s car went up in flames after crashing into the cordon on the first lap on the same corner.
The Frenchman’s Haas car split in half from the power to hit the racing barriers and was engulfed in flames before Grosjean miraculously escaped.
READ: How Romain Grosjean’s family inspired him when he was engulfed in flames
Verstappen had started in pole, but with the Dutchman and Hamilton pitting twice each, the race wavered until the end.
Lap 53 was decisive for Verstappen’s second place. According to the Formula1.com website, the Dutchman had put all four wheels over the white line while overtaking Hamiton and violated the route restrictions. He was instructed to let Hamilton regain the lead.READ: “Hopefully I’ll be back as a better driver,” says Fernando AlonsoF1 Michael Schumacher’s great son, Mick, who made his F1 debut, finished last in the Haas, while Fernando Alonso retired after a brake failure and engine problems Sergio Perez received the Formula1.com website’s vote as Driver of the Day after the Mexican racing driver finished fifth after starting the Grand Prix from the pit lane due to a technical problem with his car on the formation lap.
The second race of the F1 season is the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on April 16 in Imola, Italy.
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