World champion Lewis Hamilton was also in the lead in the first race of the new season. The international press saw a “spectacular duel” with “a dramatic hunt down to the last second”. Sebastian Vettel, on the other hand, is experiencing a “horror weekend” again.
The press reviews for the Sakhir Grand Prix, compiled by sid .
ENGLAND
Telegraph: “Finally a duel that can heat up Formula 1. ‘Tire whisperer’ Lewis Hamilton hits the first blow in the fight with Max Verstappen. In a captivating finale, Hamilton and Verstappen gave a delicious foretaste of what to expect in the season . “
Mirror: “Against all odds, Lewis Hamilton opposed Max Verstappen. In a fascinating end to the first round of the season, Hamilton and Verstappen fought their duel up to the checkered flag.”
Daily Mail: “World Champion Lewis Hamilton was chased to the last second by Max Verstappen in a dramatic chase. Hamilton showed one of the best defensive performances of his career. Sebastian Vettel experiences a horror weekend on his Aston Martin debut.”
Guardian: “Lewis Hamilton proves again that he can make a difference behind the wheel. It was a thrilling race that promises a real duel between him and Max Verstappen this season.”
FRANCE
L’Equipe: “Lewis Hamilton’s victory over Max Verstappen creates the conditions for a great rivalry. The race was a promise for a major duel this season. Lewis Hamilton was incomparably resilient.”
ITALY
Gazzetta dello Sport: “The king is always Hamilton. Sir Lewis wins the duel between the desert and Verstappen. There couldn’t have been a more exciting start to the World Cup than this race between drivers from two different generations in Bahrain.”
Corriere dello Sport: “Lewis Hamilton celebrates his first win of the season at the end of a race for fans with strong hearts. A heroic second place for Max Verstappen, while Ferrari just has to watch.”
Tuttosport: “Ferrari starts the new season with Leclerc’s sixth place. The glass is half full for Ferrari, but there is still a lot to do. Hamilton is still a long way off for Maranello.”
Corriere della Sera: “The coup failed: Lewis Hamilton remains the emperor of high speed – at the end of an impressive head-to-head race between heavyweights. The duel is an exciting fireworks display, as the fans of Formula 1 would like.”
La Repubblica: “A world duel between Hamilton and Verstappen. The year changes, but not the protagonist of Formula 1. The eighth world championship under Hamilton’s sign began in Bahrain. The seven-time world champion has to fall back on all of his repertoire in order to compete against young rivals Verstappen to win: head, experience and strategy. “
SPAIN
Marca: “It already looks like a World Cup duel between Hamilton and Verstappen. It’s also great that the Schumacher name is back in Formula 1. Sergio Perez showed a sensational race to catch up.”
AS: “Hamilton saves his skin. Mercedes just got away with his life, miraculously, after a frenetic chase from Max Verstappen. The Dutchman was faster and had the better car. The champion is strong, but the challenger will return . “
Sport: “Really something going on in Bahrain. Verstappen loses the strategic battle against Hamilton, who wins in a heart-stopping final. A spectacular start to the season in Bahrain, that’s exactly what the Formula 1 fan wants.”
El Mundo Deportivo: “Hamilton wins a spectacular duel against Verstappen. Alonso with a bitter return to Formula 1. Verstappen has proven in Bahrain that he can keep up with his car against the Mercedes cars over the course of the racing season. What a spectacle ! “
