F1 LIVE: George Russell makes astonishing Red Bull claim as Mercedes look to change course

F1Reaction from the Bahrain Grand Prix as Fernando Alonso claims stunning podium and Max Verstappen cruises to victory

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George Russell summed up the mood in the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday night when he chillingly predicted Max Verstappen’s Red Bull team will win all 23 races this year.

Defending world champion Verstappen picked up where he left off with a crushing display to take the chequered flag at Formula One’s season opener in Sakhir, crossing the line 11 seconds clear of Sergio Perez in the other Red Bull.

As Verstappen dominated, 41-year-old Fernando Alonso provided the spark to a tame race as he duelled with old foe Lewis Hamilton to claim the final spot on the podium. Hamilton finished fifth.

But Alonso, albeit in a rejuvenated Aston Martin, took the chequered flag nearly 40 seconds behind Verstappen, with Hamilton 51 adrift. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff described the race as “one of his worst days in racing.”

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1678099520F1 news LIVE: George Russell makes chilling prediction at Bahrain Grand PrixGeorge Russell summed up the mood in the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday night when he chillingly predicted Max Verstappen’s Red Bull team will win all 23 races this year.

Defending world champion Verstappen picked up where he left off with a crushing display to take the chequered flag at Formula One’s season opener in Sakhir, crossing the line 11 seconds clear of Sergio Perez in the other Red Bull.

As Verstappen dominated, 41-year-old Fernando Alonso provided the spark to a tame race as he duelled with old foe Lewis Hamilton to claim the final spot on the podium. Hamilton finished fifth.

But Alonso, albeit in a rejuvenated Aston Martin, took the chequered flag nearly 40 seconds behind Verstappen, with Hamilton 51 adrift.

“Red Bull have got this championship sewn up and I don’t think anybody will be fighting with them this year,” said Russell, who finished seventh on a sobering evening for Mercedes.

Kieran Jackson6 March 2023 10:45

1678098693F1 news LIVE: Bahrain Grand prix – RACE REPORTMax Verstappen opened his championship defence with a crushing victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Red Bull driver, who dominated last season to claim his second consecutive world crown, outclassed his rivals with an ominous performance under the floodlights in Sakhir.

Lewis Hamilton took the chequered flag in fifth, 51 seconds behind, with team-mate George Russell seventh on a sobering evening for Mercedes.

Kieran Jackson6 March 2023 10:31

1678097540F1 news LIVE: Lance Stroll, speaking to Sky Sports: Stroll spoke to Sky after finishing in sixth place in the Bahrain GP:

“Amazing way to start the season. I have pain, grinding it out at the end, thinking about those points, feels good!

“It’s been an insane journey. The last two weeks has been the most insane of my life, terrible time to crash on a bicycle. Doctors were telling me maybe Australia, maybe Baku, light at the end of the tunnel was hard to see. But had a great medical team around me. Well done to everybody back at the factory for buiding this incredible machine, it’s a pleasure to drive.”

On collision with Alonso: “My wrists were on fire, shed a few tears. Dodged a few bullets.”

“My right wrist is feeling more solid. Left wrist should just improve. It should get better over the next couple of weeks…”

Kieran Jackson6 March 2023 10:12

1678096760F1 news LIVE: Christian Horner, speaking to Sky Sports after the race:“It’s been an incredible weekend. The drivers were just fantastic, the deg was less than the others. Checo losing out at the start, he had some work to do, he got the pass.

“It’s only a sample of one, it’s a great start for us. We’ve done it in the best possible way. It was a good first race for us.

“When you’ve got pace in the car and deg under control, you’ve got options. Ferrari were unlucky with Charles, we need to see Jeddah. Let’s reserve judgement until a few races.

“Max was probably less happy with the car from the test than Checo. It’s great to have both guys fighting for fine margins. Important to get some good points in early.”

(Getty Images)

Kieran Jackson6 March 2023 09:59

1678095920F1 news LIVE: Jeremy Clarkson explains why F1 is better than ever after attending Bahrain GPClarkson, the former Top Gear presenter who is now host of The Grand Tour and Clarkson’s Farm on Prime Video, was in Bahrain as a guest of Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the crown prince of Bahrain. In his role at Top Gear, he interviewed numerous F1 drivers including Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel.

And Clarkson, who caused controversy at the end of last year for his comments about Meghan Markle, was on the grid before the start of the first race of the 2023 season and was briefly interviewed by Brundle for Sky Sports, explaining in his view why the sport is more attractive now more than ever.

“It’s the first Formula 1 race I’ve been to for years,” Clarkson, 62, said.

“It’s just so fantastic to be back. I adore Formula 1. It was infuriating for years and years and now it’s back, because they can follow one another and the aerodynamics are so much better.”

Kieran Jackson6 March 2023 09:45

1678094840F1 news LIVE: Hamilton and Sainz post-Bahrain GPNice exchange between Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz after the race!

Hamilton was closing in on Sainz in fourth but couldn’t squeeze his Mercedes past the Ferrari, as they both discussed in the pen!

Kieran Jackson6 March 2023 09:27

1678094120F1 news LIVE: Final standings at Bahrain Grand Prix1 Max VERSTAPPEN

2 Sergio PEREZ +11.987

3 Fernando ALONSO +38.637

4 Carlos SAINZ +48.052

5 Lewis HAMILTON +50.977

6 Lance STROLL +54.502

7 George RUSSELL +55.873

8 Valtteri BOTTAS +72.647

9 Pierre GASLY +73.753

10 Alexander ALBON +89.774

11 Yuki TSUNODA +90.870

12 Logan SARGEANT 1L

13 Kevin MAGNUSSEN 1L

14 Nyck DE VRIES 1L

15 Nico HULKENBERG 1L

16 GuanyuZHOU 1L

17 Lando NORRIS 2L

18 Esteban OCON – retired

19 Charles LECLERC – retired

20 Oscar PIASTRI – retired

Kieran Jackson6 March 2023 09:15

1678093100F1 news LIVE: Mercedes boss Toto Wolff despondent after Bahrain GPToto Wolff revealed the Bahrain Grand Prix was “one of his worst days in racing” as he insists Mercedes need “radical” change to their car.

While Lewis Hamilton made up places early on, the seven-time world champion couldn’t hold off Fernando Alonso’s roaring Aston Martin and could only manage fifth in the end.

George Russell finished behind the other Aston Martin – Lance Stroll – to come home seventh and despite showing slight improvements over the weekend from a tricky testing period, it marks a difficult start to the season for the Silver Arrows.

And Wolff was particularly despondent after the racing, telling Sky Sports: “One of my worst days in racing, lacking pace left right and centre.

“Aston Martin have the pace, they deserve it, the Red Bulls are on a different planet. They’re so far ahead it hurts, it reminds me of our years when we were a second a lap ahead of everyone else.”

Kieran Jackson6 March 2023 08:58

1678092440F1 news LIVE: Charles Leclerc left devastated after retiring at Bahrain Grand PrixCharles Leclerc suffered a devastating start to the 2023 F1 season after retiring while in third place.

The Monegasque driver remarked: “No, no, no! Come on, what happened guys? No power.” A virtual safety car followed, costing Leclerc a probable 15 points and a season-opening podium place.

Leclerc kept his composure after his race finished and could be seen drinking a bottle of water before gathering his things to return to the garage.

Kieran Jackson6 March 2023 08:47

1678091608F1 news LIVE: George Russell makes chilling prediction at Bahrain Grand PrixGeorge Russell summed up the mood in the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday night when he chillingly predicted Max Verstappen’s Red Bull team will win all 23 races this year.

Defending world champion Verstappen picked up where he left off with a crushing display to take the chequered flag at Formula One’s season opener in Sakhir, crossing the line 11 seconds clear of Sergio Perez in the other Red Bull.

As Verstappen dominated, 41-year-old Fernando Alonso provided the spark to a tame race as he duelled with old foe Lewis Hamilton to claim the final spot on the podium. Hamilton finished fifth.

But Alonso, albeit in a rejuvenated Aston Martin, took the chequered flag nearly 40 seconds behind Verstappen, with Hamilton 51 adrift.

“Red Bull have got this championship sewn up and I don’t think anybody will be fighting with them this year,” said Russell, who finished seventh on a sobering evening for Mercedes.

Kieran Jackson6 March 2023 08:33