Bahrain Grand Prix 2023
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VICTORY FOR MAX VERSTAPPEN FOR THIS FIRST GRAND PRIX OF THE SEASON IN BAHRAIN! Sergio Pérez is 2nd, and therefore Fernando Alonso wins a 99th podium in F1 with this 3rd place!
Carlos Sainz is 4th ahead of Hamilton, Stroll, Russell, Bottas, Gasly and Albon!
The rankings for the Bahrain Grand Prix:
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Max Verstappen begins the final lap of the Bahrain Grand Prix!
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5 second penalty for Nico Hülkenberg for exceeding track limits.
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Alexander Albon, 10th, can claim a point for the first GP of the season... but is put under pressure by Yuki Tsunoda.
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Only 2″6 left between Bottas 8th, and Gasly 9th… there are two additional points to be had for the Frenchman, who holds the best lap!
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Fernando Alonso is on track to score his 99th podium in F1. His first was in 2003, during the Malaysian Grand Prix… that was 20 years ago! And his latest: Qatar 2021, with Alpine.
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On the French side, Pierre Gasly comes back strongly on Valtteri Bottas, 8th. The gap is closing at a rate of one second per lap.
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In the lead, Verstappen is still 10s ahead of Pérez and 36s ahead of Alonso. Hamilton cannot find an opening on Sainz for 4th place.
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Alonso escapes to 3rd place, while Hamilton now puts pressure on Sainz!
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And it's done! Alonso is 3rd, he overtook Sainz in the 3rd DRS zone! He is virtually on the podium!
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And Alonso is now in Carlos Sainz’s DRS zone! Hispanic duel to come!
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After an ordeal race, Esteban Ocon gave up.
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Note that several drivers, including Gasly, stopped during the VSC to put on soft tires. The Frenchman was able to overtake Albon and is now 9th!
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Green flag and there we are going to have a three-way battle for the podium between Sainz, Alonso and Hamilton!!!
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Virtual Safety Car! We evacuate Leclerc's Ferrari!
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CHARLES LECLERC IN SLOW MOTION!!! He is stopped ! It's retirement for the Monegasque, stopped in the penultimate straight! The car suddenly stopped...
❌ It’s retirement for Charles Leclerc on the 41st lap#BahrainGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/rpXkwCHH47
— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) March 5, 2023
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In replay, Alonso's overtake against Hamilton:
"Old !"
Superb exchange of arms between Alonso and Hamilton 🤩#BahrainGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/MBY2Ffu9S5
— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) March 5, 2023
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And Alonso is now chasing Carlos Sainz, while Hamilton is giving everything to stay in the Aston Martin's DRS zone!
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WHAT AN EXCEPTION BY ALONSO! The Spaniard overtook Lewis Hamilton on the inside of the difficult turn 10! Magnificent exchange of arms between Alonso and Hamilton!
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That's it, the explanation between Alonso and Hamilton, it's there! Alonso's first failed attempt at turn 4, which slipped at the exit of the corner and had to give up 5th place to Hamilton.
