The first race of the 2023 Formula 1 season was a lot like 2022.
Max Verstappen ran away from the field Sunday in Bahrain to win the Bahrain Grand Prix and firmly establish himself and Red Bull as the driver and team to beat in 2023. The two-time defending champion started on pole and had absolutely no challenge whatsoever. He built a multi-second lead over Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc within the first handful of laps and Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez finished a distant second.
Leclerc had the speed to finish an easy third but a mechanical issue caused him to retire from the race.