Leclerc opens new era with one-two for Ferrari

Ferrari’s Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc celebrates with the trophy after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix yesterday. (AFP)

• World champion Verstappen and teammate Perez retire, Hamilton salvages third place Charles Leclerc embarked on Formula One’s new era in triumphant style, leading teammate Carlos Sainz in a one-two for a resurgent Ferrari in yesterday’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix. The Monegasque crossed the line 5.5 seconds ahead of Sainz, who moved up to second place after world champion Max Verstappen retired three laps from the end. Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton snatched a shock third for struggling Mercedes ahead of new teammate George Russell on the final lap after Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez spun at the first corner, with neither Red Bull making the finish. Yesterday’ win was the third of Leclerc’s career and Ferrari’s first since the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix. The man from Monaco told his team over the radio: “That’s exactly how we should start the season. One-two baby, one-two. Mamma mia.” Once the race trophy was in his hands, Leclerc said: “I’m so happy. We knew this was a big opportunity for the team and the guys have done an incredible job building into amazing car. “A one-two today with Carlos – we couldn’t hope for better. It’s incredible to be back at the top.” It was also the Italian team’s seventh at the Sakhir desert track. The result puts Leclerc in the overall lead of the drivers’ standings with another 22 races to go. Ferrari lead the constructors’ tables. Leclerc, who also took the fastest lap and was voted driver of the day by fans, started the race from pole but it was not an unchallenged cruise to the flag for the 24-year-old. He engaged in a wheel-to-wheel battle with Verstappen after the first pitstops with the pair passing and repassing each other for the lead over several laps. He also perfectly judged the restart after a safety car period, breaking away from Verstappen as the field returned to racing speed. Red Bull’s race came undone at the very end. Verstappen’s car, hobbled for much of the race by a steering issue, appeared to suddenly slow. Perez reported a loss of power immediately afterwards and blamed the engine for his sudden spin. When racing resumed, Sainz attacked Verstappen for second place but the Dutchman’s race ended in bitter disappointment as he appeared to lose all power on the 55th lap and had to limp into the pits without a point. While Christian Horner and his Red Bull team were digesting the champion’s failure to finish, Perez suddenly spun and came to a halt, apparently due to a mechanical issue. That allowed seven-time champion Hamilton to help himself to third place. “A big, big congratulations to Ferrari, it’s so good to see them doing well again,” said Hamilton. “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,” Hamilton said.Results and standings 1. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 1hr 37:33.584, 2. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Ferrari) at 5.598sec, 3. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 9.675, 4. George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) 11.211, 5. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) 14.754, 6. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Alfa Romeo-Ferrari) 16.119, 7. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 19.423, 8. Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/AlphaTauri-Red Bull) 20.386, 9. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Alpine-Renault) 22.390, 10. Zhou Guanyu (CHN/Alfa Romeo-Ferrari) 23.064, 11. Mick Schumacher (GER/Haas-Ferrari) 32.574, 12. Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 45.873, 13. Alexander Albon (THA/Williams-Mercedes) 53.932, 14. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/McLaren-Mercedes) 54.975, 15. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes) 56.335, 16. Nicholas Latifi (CAN/Williams-Mercedes) 1:01.795, 17. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:03.829, 18. Sergio Perez (MEX/Red Bull) 1 lap, 19. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 3 laps Drivers: 1. Charles Leclerc (MON) 26 pts, 2. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) 18, 3. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 15, 4. George Russell (GBR) 12, 5. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) 10, 6. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) 8, 7. Esteban Ocon (FRA) 6, 8. Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) 4, 9. Fernando Alonso (ESP) 2, 10. Zhou Guanyu (CHN) 1.