Of ALESSANDRO PRADA
The first weekend of the 2023 season, valid for the Bahrain GP, saw Red Bull as the absolute protagonist. There was no hope for the rivals of the Anglo-Austrian team, brought to pole position and victory in both cases by Max Verstappen. The Dutchman, reigning world champion, built a lead of no less than 12 seconds over his teammate Sergio Perez, who contributed to the double for the Milton Keynes team. Even more overwhelming, however, was the gap created over the opponents, even 36 seconds up Fernando Alonsowho finished on the podium on his debut with Aston Martin.
The duel Alonso vs Hamilton
A result that the Spaniard achieved by overtaking his Ferrari compatriot Carlos Sainz, but before that by getting the better of his former McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton, with whom he waged a spectacular battle. An exciting duel that recreated a long-gone rivalry standby, dating back to seasons in which Verstappen had not yet made his Formula 1 debut. Yet, regarding this challenge, the current number 1 was able to provide a rather heavy and demeaning comment for the competition.
The challenge already seen
In fact, at the end of the race, Red Bull Councilor Helmut Marko joined his driver with the intention of showing him the images of the duel between Hamilton and Alonso. An offer rejected by the Dutchman, who according to him had already had the opportunity to see the challenge during the match. It seems incredible, but Verstappen’s advantage over his pursuers was such that it allowed the Red Bull driver to allow himself the luxury of observe part of the heads up on the big screen of the Sakhir Circuit.
Marko’s disbelief
Interviewed by OE24, Marko confirmed the version of events with these words: “After the race I wanted to show the pictures to Max – has explained – but he told me that he had already seen everything on the big screen during the race”. A statement that gives an idea of Red Bull’s superiority in the Bahrain GP, the same that the rival teams will try to counter as early as the next round in Saudi Arabia, scheduled from 17 to 19 March.
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