Bahrain Grand Prix 2023 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Max Verstappen launched his record-breaking 2023 campaign with a commanding lights-to-flag victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix, signaling the start of one of Formula 1's most dominant seasons. The reigning World Champion controlled the season opener from pole position, leading every lap to secure Red Bull's first one-two finish of the year with teammate Sergio Perez in second place.

The race showcased the RB19's immediate superiority over the field, with Verstappen managing the 57-lap distance with ease under the Sakhir floodlights. Perez delivered a solid performance to finish 11 seconds behind his teammate, holding off Fernando Alonso who secured a remarkable podium for Aston Martin in third place. The Spanish veteran's result, his first podium since 2021, announced Aston Martin's surprise emergence as a competitive force in the early season.

Guanyu Zhou set the fastest lap for Alfa Romeo in a rare highlight for the Swiss team. Charles Leclerc finished fourth for Ferrari, while Carlos Sainz retired with a mechanical issue, providing an early indication of the reliability challenges that would plague the Scuderia throughout the season. The victory was Verstappen's 35th career win and the first step toward his record-breaking 19-win campaign that would redefine F1 dominance.