Formula 1 started its new season with the Bahrain Grand Prix. RTL reporter Felix Görner congratulates world champion Max Verstappen on his third title in his sport.de column. The expert also looks at Fernando Alonso’s podium finish and the disappointing performances of Ferrari and Mercedes.
Formula 1 fans have to be strong after the first race. I say congratulations to Max Verstappen on winning the third world title in a row. I was glad that there was still a bit of sweat visible after he took off his helmet after crossing the finish line.
Otherwise it was controlled rocking at the front, managing an outstanding car. Red Bull races on a blue planet and the blue planet is a far cry from the rest of Formula 1. That’s not good news for suspense fans, but that’s the way it is. This deficit cannot be made up for by the competition over 23 races.
At Ferrari, on the other hand, one can say: new team boss, but the old illness – the lack of reliability is there. Mattia Binotto is gone, Frédéric Vasseur is at the start and Charles Leclerc is still only on the side of the road and does not score any points. That’s not how you become world champion. Ferrari forever number two – if at all.
The man of the day, maybe even the man of the season, is Fernando Alonso. At 41 he is now experiencing his 41st spring in Formula 1. He is incredibly good. The “old men’s fight” against Lewis Hamilton was nice to watch.
Sebastian Vettel will be sad
Aston Martin is the winner over the winter. Shot forward from grid nirvana to second place, chapeau! Sebastian Vettel, who watched the race 100 percent, will have asked himself: “Boy, didn’t you get out of Formula 1 a year too soon?”
Felix Görner is an RTL reporter and Formula 1 expert
Now Aston Martin actually has a car that might even get you on the podium regularly, which Vettel just wasn’t able to do. Vettel will be happy for his boys but still sad at the same time. A “green cucumber” has become a “green rocket”.
Verstappen’s cheering over the team radio and after the race was as routine as a good morning in an English fog. With a resting heart rate of 53, Red Bull has achieved a double victory. There was no more talk of euphoria at all. Red Bull are running out of opponents in Formula 1.
Alarm signal at Mercedes
Mercedes, on the other hand, is a loser of the weekend. You’re only in fifth and seventh place. Lewis Hamilton is just lagging behind as a seven-time world champion.
It is – as Toto Wolff also said – a wake-up call. Everything has to be put to the test. Of course it is a warning sign that Toto Wolff is already considering a complete conversion of the car. We know that it takes at least four to five races and costs far too much money in times of cost caps.
The World Cup is over. A realistic goal for Mercedes would be race wins. Once again, the wrong concept was used, which is not good for the Mercedes heads. With Toto Wolff we know that he is also capable of making tough decisions and will then follow through with them.
I believe that every stone is now being turned at Mercedes and every management structure and management figure is being examined by Toto Wolff. After all, this is the second year in a row that the design department just doesn’t do a good job. Fernando Alonso also enjoyed the fact that the engine is good.
Felix Gorner