If the Bahrain Grand Prix has something to offer, then Formula 1 fans are on the right track this season. Lewis Hamilton fended off the stormy Red Bull from Max Verstappen to win the Bahrain Grand Prix and take the lead in the championship standings early on.
With an action-packed race up and down the grid, the Bahrain Grand Prix saw some of the closest races in recent Formula 1 history. Drivers in similarly fast-paced cars were engaged in fierce battles throughout the race. The season has already begun to deliver on its promise to be the most exciting yet.
Here are five key points from the Bahrain Grand Prix:
# 1 Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes are the team to beat in Formula 1
I love the challenge. I love this sport. What a start to the season today is a reminder that by harnessing and channeling our collective power, we can achieve great things. It’s great to be back 
pic.twitter.com/bazzkXTsag
– Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) March 28, 2021
Mercedes prevailed after being dominated during the Grand Prix weekend in Bahrain. The Brackley-based team had a slower car and suffered a resounding defeat in qualifying. The Red Bull challenger looked faster than the Mercedes in every session of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Together with probably the fastest driver on the grid at Max Verstappen, this race was a loss for Red Bull.
However, Hamilton tucked Verstappen’s progress into the final stages of the Bahrain Grand Prix to eventually take the checkered flag and win the 95th Grand Prix of his stellar career. His masterclass today showed why Lewis Hamilton is considered one of the greatest races in the series.
Mercedes works like a well-oiled machine. The team dominated the turbo hybrid era and their experience at the top of the grid was evident at the Bahrain Grand Prix today. The team has proven that it can win races without being the fastest car on any given weekend, which is a ominous sign for the rest of the grid.
# 2 Red Bull and Max Verstappen will learn from this
Max Verstappen will learn from it and jump back. Photo: Mark Thompson / Getty Images.
Red Bull looked like a deer caught in the headlights at Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix. The team had the fastest car on the grid, but lacked the experience to fight Mercedes at the top of the grid. Red Bull hasn’t fought seriously for a championship since 2013 and the rust showed today.
The team was caught with their pants down when Mercedes decided to undercut Max Verstappen. Red Bull met the Dutchman three laps later, but came out almost nine seconds behind the reigning champions. Verstappen eventually caught up with Hamilton, only the Brit pitted again. Red Bull covered the pit stop by reintroducing Verstappen. However, the Dutchman was unable to catch Lewis Hamilton and finished second on a weekend where the former dominated until qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday.
Red Bull has the pedigree to compete for championships. The team won four titles in a row between 2010 and 2013. However, they did not face any opponents of the Mercedes caliber. Red Bull has the car it takes to face a tough championship challenge, but the team needs to improve on the operational side. Hopefully Red Bull and Max Verstappen will take the Grand Prix weekend in Bahrain as a learning experience and come back stronger in the next race.
# 3 Midfield battles will steal the show at every race
“We had the third fastest car today, but we acknowledge that it will be a tense battle.”
Read more from the team after an action-packed #BahrainGP. 
– McLaren (@ McLarenF1) March 28, 2021
Formula 1 is in a great place right now. There is a close battle for the championship at the front. However, an even more fascinating fight lurks in midfield.
AlphaTauri, McLaren, Ferrari, Aston Martin and Alpine are tuned for speed. It is very likely that the teams will compete for the honor of the “best of the other” in each race.
With drivers of the caliber Daniel Ricciardo, Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, Fernando Alonso and Pierre Gasly in midfield, there is no better time to see Formula 1 than now.
# 4 Sebastian Vettel had forgotten a Bahrain Grand Prix
Published 29 Mar 2021 01:36 AM
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