Rome, 4 Oct. (LaPresse) – Max Verstappen claimed his first win of the season (the 72nd of his career) at the Sepang circuit, in Malaysia, in the race counting towards the Bahrain Grand Prix – which had been ‘relocated’ to Kuala Lumpur due to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East – finished ahead of Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari, the latter staging a spectacular finale with a overtaking manoeuvre to secure a podium finish with four laps to go. The Red Bull driver was the star of a race affected by rain, which caused a delay of around an hour and a half at the start due to software issues reported during the formation lap by several cars – including Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari – and subsequent FIA checks on the cars. Starting from pole position, the Dutchman (on soft tyres) was overtaken at the start by the two Mercedes (which had wet-weather tyres fitted), with Antonelli taking the lead but then making up ground as the track gradually dried out, taking the lead on lap 14. Verstappen had not won for 301 days. Antonelli settled in behind the Dutchman, whilst Russell, with five laps to go, was forced to retire due to a power unit problem whilst the safety car was on the track. Hamilton’s Ferrari capitalised on this, snatching a podium finish from Hadjar’s Red Bull in the final laps, with Charles Leclerc’s other Ferrari also finishing ahead of him in fourth place. The Briton’s retirement turned out to be a real windfall for Antonelli, who now extends his lead over Russell to +84. There was much regret at Ferrari, who paid the price for their initial decision to start on dry tyres, immediately losing several positions. It was a strategic error that did not, however, demoralise Hamilton, who was masterful in his final comeback, which earned him a podium finish.
F1, Bahrain Grand Prix: Verstappen wins ahead of Antonelli and Hamilton
Rome, 4 Oct. (LaPresse) – Max Verstappen claimed his first win of the season (the 72nd of his career) at the Sepang circuit, in Malaysia, in the race counting towards the Bahrain Grand Prix – which had been ‘relocated’ to Kuala Lumpur due to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East – finished ahead of Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari, the latter staging a spectacular finale with a overtaking manoeuvre to secure a podium finish with four laps to go. The Red Bull driver was the star of a race affected by rain, which caused a delay of around an hour and a half at the start due to software issues reported during the formation lap by several cars – including Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari – and subsequent FIA checks on the cars. Starting from pole position, the Dutchman (on soft tyres) was overtaken at the start by the two Mercedes (which had wet-weather tyres fitted), with Antonelli taking the lead but then making up ground as the track gradually dried out, taking the lead on lap 14. Verstappen had not won for 301 days. Antonelli settled in behind the Dutchman, whilst Russell, with five laps to go, was forced to retire due to a power unit problem whilst the safety car was on the track. Hamilton’s Ferrari capitalised on this, snatching a podium finish from Hadjar’s Red Bull in the final laps, with Charles Leclerc’s other Ferrari also finishing ahead of him in fourth place. The Briton’s retirement turned out to be a real windfall for Antonelli, who now extends his lead over Russell to +84. There was much regret at Ferrari, who paid the price for their initial decision to start on dry tyres, immediately losing several positions. It was a strategic error that did not, however, demoralise Hamilton, who was masterful in his final comeback, which earned him a podium finish.