Bahrain Grand Prix 2021 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Lewis Hamilton delivered a masterclass in race management to win the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, holding off Max Verstappen's relentless pressure in a thrilling battle under the Sakhir floodlights. The victory set the tone for what would become one of the greatest championship fights in Formula 1 history, with the two title protagonists separated by less than a second at the finish.

Verstappen claimed pole position in qualifying and led the opening stages, but Hamilton's superior tire management and Mercedes' strategic acumen proved decisive. The race's defining moment came late on when Verstappen, hunting down Hamilton on fresher tires, attempted a bold overtake at Turn 4. The Dutchman ran wide while making the pass, exceeding track limits, and was forced to hand the position back to avoid a penalty. Despite mounting a fierce final-lap challenge, Verstappen couldn't find a way past Hamilton's defensive masterclass, finishing just 0.745 seconds behind.

Valtteri Bottas completed the podium in third for Mercedes, while McLaren's Lando Norris impressed with fourth place. The race also featured a dramatic incident involving Haas rookie Nikita Mazepin, who spun on the opening lap. Hamilton's victory gave him the early championship lead and demonstrated that Mercedes remained a formidable force despite Red Bull's pre-season testing pace. The close margin between the two frontrunners foreshadowed the intense season-long battle that would captivate the sport throughout 2021.