Max Verstappen started the new season as he finished the last, with a controlled drive to win the Bahrain Grand Prix.

His Red Bull Racing team mate Sergio Perez made it a podium 1-2 for the team, to gain maximum points in the Constructor’s table.

Verstappen was unstoppable from start to finish, maintaining his advantage from pole and never looked back over 57 laps. He added a further point with the fastest lap and ultimately crossed the line 22 seconds clear of Perez.

Carlos Sainz rounded out the podium places for Ferrari, after a thrilling exchange with team mate Charles Leclerc, who struggled with tyre degradation and suffered multiple lock-ups en route to fourth, having cleared the lead Mercedes of George Russell late on.

Russell and team mate Lewis Hamilton, encountered issues with their batteries across the race, with the seven-time world champion – who also reported a broken seat – having to settle for seventh position behind McLaren’s Lando Norris.

Oscar Piastri made it two McLarens in the top 10 with a run to eighth, while Aston Martin also scored a double points finish thanks to Fernando Alonso crossing the line ninth and Lance Stroll taking 10th.