Motorsport Week
  • Formula 1
    • 2025 Formula 1 Calendar
    • 2025 Formula 1 Standings
  • Formula E
    • 2025 Formula E Calendar
    • 2025 Formula E Standings
  • IndyCar
    • 2025 IndyCar Calendar
    • 2025 IndyCar Standings
  • WRC
    • 2025 WRC Standings
    • 2025 WRC Calendar
  • MotoGP
    • 2025 MotoGP Calendar
    • 2025 MotoGP Standings
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
  • WEC
    • 2025 WEC Calendar
  • IMSA
    • 2025 IMSA Calendar
  • World SBK
  • More
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • F1 Academy
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • World Superbikes
    • Technical Insight
    • Galleries
    • About/Contact
    • Privacy Policy
No Result
View All Result
  • Formula 1
    • 2025 Formula 1 Calendar
    • 2025 Formula 1 Standings
  • Formula E
    • 2025 Formula E Calendar
    • 2025 Formula E Standings
  • IndyCar
    • 2025 IndyCar Calendar
    • 2025 IndyCar Standings
  • WRC
    • 2025 WRC Standings
    • 2025 WRC Calendar
  • MotoGP
    • 2025 MotoGP Calendar
    • 2025 MotoGP Standings
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
  • WEC
    • 2025 WEC Calendar
  • IMSA
    • 2025 IMSA Calendar
  • World SBK
  • More
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • F1 Academy
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • World Superbikes
    • Technical Insight
    • Galleries
    • About/Contact
    • Privacy Policy
No Result
View All Result
Motorsport Week
Home Single Seater Formula 1

Hamilton fends off Verstappen to win Bahrain thriller

by Fergal Walsh
4 years ago
A A
1
Hamilton fends off Verstappen to win Bahrain thriller
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton has won the opening race of the 2021 season in Bahrain, producing an eye-catching defence on Max Verstappen to take the victory.

Both drivers committed to two-stop strategies at the Sakhir Circuit, and were running on the Hard tyre as the laps trickled down.

Hamilton, who made his final pit stop on lap 28, ten laps before Verstappen, had an advantage of seven seconds when the Red Bull driver took his final stop.

Verstappen hunted the seven-time World Champion down and overtook him with four laps to go, but was forced to return the position as he went off the track at Turn 4 to complete the move.

RelatedPosts

https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2025/great-britain

McLaren convinced suspension update has cured Lando Norris’ struggles with MCL39

1 hour ago
George Russell salvages second row start for Mercedes at Silverstone

George Russell: Mercedes ‘scratching our heads’ over unexpected lack of pace at F1 British GP

2 hours ago

Despite his best efforts, Verstappen couldn’t pass Hamilton for a second time and crossed the line just over seven-tenths of a second behind the Mercedes driver.

Valtteri Bottas picked up the final podium spot, with his chances of victory ruined by a slow 10-second pit stop midway through the event.

Norris heads midfield battle

McLaren began its defence of third in the Constructors’ standings in strong fashion, as Lando Norris eased to fourth place for the papaya-livered team.

The Briton moved past team-mate Daniel Ricciardo on the opening lap of the race before getting past Pierre Gasly and Charles Leclerc early on for fourth, where he remained until the chequered flag.

Sergio Perez recovered to fifth place after a difficult qualifying, but suffered an early scare as his car stopped dead on the circuit on the formation lap. After firing it back up again, Perez started from the pit lane and progressed through the field during the 56-lap race.

Charles Leclerc couldn’t hold onto his fourth-place starting position and came home in sixth place, leading the second McLaren of Daniel Ricciardo and Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz.

Mixed races for F1 rookies

AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda emerged as a star from the Bahrain race, as he picked up two Championship points on his debut with the team. After missing out on Q3 on Saturday, the Japanese driver was in the hunt for a top ten for much of the race, producing a last lap overtake on Lance Stroll to take ninth.

With Stroll taking 10th, there was misery for his team-mate Sebastian Vettel, who after being eliminated in Q1 on Saturday, clashed with Esteban Ocon on lap 45 – he was handed a 10-second time penalty and two penalty points as a result.

However he wasn’t the only driver in the wars, as Haas rookie Nikita Mazepin spun into the barriers on the opening lap, which triggered an early safety car. His team-mate and fellow debutant Mick Schumacher drove alone at the rear of the field for the rest of the race.

Other retirements included Pierre Gasly, who lost his front wing on the opening lap, Williams’ Nicholas Latifi and F1 returnee Fernando Alonso.

This article will be updated.

[motorsport_result id=’59396′]

Tags: BahrainGPF1Lewis HamiltonMax Verstappen
Share201Tweet126Share

Related Posts

https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2025/great-britain
Formula 1

McLaren convinced suspension update has cured Lando Norris’ struggles with MCL39

1 hour ago
George Russell salvages second row start for Mercedes at Silverstone
Formula 1

George Russell: Mercedes ‘scratching our heads’ over unexpected lack of pace at F1 British GP

2 hours ago
Ferrari emerged as a strong threat to McLaren during the practice sessions ahead of qualifying
Formula 1

McLaren wary resurgent Ferrari could be a threat beyond F1 British GP

3 hours ago
Load More

Comments 1

  1. Colin G says:
    4 years ago

    “as the laps winded down”…. No, “as the laps wound down”.
    Thank you.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Upcoming Races

#EventDate
13Belgian GP25-27 July
14Hungarian GP01-03 August
15Dutch GP29-31 August
16Italian GP05-07 September
17Azerbaijan GP19-21 September

Click here for the full 2025 F1 calendar

Drivers’  Standings

#DriverPts
Oscar Piastri216
Lando Norris201
Max Verstappen155
George Russell146
Charles Leclerc120
Lewis Hamilton91
Andrea Kimi Antonelli63
Alexander Albon42
Isack Hadjar28
Esteban Ocon23

Click here for full Drivers’ Standings

Latest Articles

https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2025/great-britain
Formula 1

McLaren convinced suspension update has cured Lando Norris’ struggles with MCL39

July 6, 2025
George Russell salvages second row start for Mercedes at Silverstone
Formula 1

George Russell: Mercedes ‘scratching our heads’ over unexpected lack of pace at F1 British GP

July 6, 2025
Ferrari emerged as a strong threat to McLaren during the practice sessions ahead of qualifying
Formula 1

McLaren wary resurgent Ferrari could be a threat beyond F1 British GP

July 6, 2025

Follow Motorsport Week

Join our daily motorsport newsletter

* indicates required

Motorsport Week

© 2024 Motorsport Media Services Ltd

Other Links

  • About & Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Motorsport Monday

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Home
  • Formula 1
    • Latest News
    • 2025 F1 Calendar
    • 2025 F1 Championship Standings
  • Formula E
    • Latest News
    • 2025 FE Calendar
    • 2025 FE Championship Standings
  • MotoGP
    • Latest News
    • 2025 MotoGP Calendar
    • 2025 MotoGP Standings
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • World Superbikes
  • WRC
    • Latest News
    • 2025 WRC Calendar
    • 2025 WRC Standings
  • IndyCar
    • Latest News
    • 2025 IndyCar Calendar
    • 2025 IndyCar Standings
  • WEC
    • Latest News
    • 2025 WEC Calendar
  • Live Updates
  • Other
    • IMSA
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • F1 Academy
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • World Superbikes
  • Galleries
  • About/Contact
  • Privacy Policy

© 2024 Motorsport Media Services Ltd