The start of the new F1 season was tough. While Ferrari celebrated a triumphant one-two, world champion Verstappen was thrown out shortly before the end. His fiercest rival benefited from this. The international press reviews.
“That’s how we should start this season. On one and two, baby! Mamma Mia!” Charles Leclerc summed it up after the Ferrari double victory at the start of the Formula 1 season in Bahrain – at least from the point of view of his “Scuderia” (Read how Ferrari outperformed the competition in Bahrain).
The red racers from Maranello repelled numerous attacks from Max Verstappen before the world champion had to involuntarily park his Red Bull next to the track shortly before the end. Verstappen’s intimate enemy Lewis Hamilton, who finished third behind Leclerc and his teammate Carlos Sainz junior, benefited from this. The course of the race literally electrified the international press. t-online has summarized selected voices:
Austria
Kronenzeitung: “Ferrari has come back impressively, but for Red Bull and world champion Max Verstappen the start of the World Cup ended in disaster.”
England
Sun: “Singing in Bahrain: Lewis Hamilton miraculously reaches the podium after Verstappen’s collapse. Max Verstappen was furious with his team after the Red Bull collapse.”
Guardians: “The new era of Formula One could not have asked for a better start than the drama, triumph and disaster of the season opener in Bahrain.”
Daily Mirror: “Lewis Hamilton rubs salt in Verstappen’s wounds. Hamilton explained that after his surprising third place at the Bahrain Grand Prix, there was no better feeling.”
Switzerland
View: “After 45 races: The Red Goddess smiles again! The dry spell is over.”
Italy
Gazzetta dello Sport: “Red euphoria! A legendary Leclerc wins the duel with Verstappen, Sainz completes the masterpiece. Ferrari starts with a triumph in the world championship of the new start and is hungry for success.”
Corriere dello Sport: “Ferrari is the sole ruler of Formula 1. The Scuderia is confidently starting the new season with a thirst for success similar to that of Mercedes in previous years. The triumph of the Leclerc/Sainz duo is the victory of an entire team that, after hard work got the perfect result.”
Corriere della Sera: “Red renaissance! Ferrari could not have started the new season in a better way. To win Ferrari has to be perfect and the Maranello team were perfect in Bahrain.”
Spain
Brand: “Ferrari is back, Red Bull’s demise, Hamilton climbs the podium. The last few laps were cinematic.”
As: “Red revenge, Ferrari is back. Hamilton was third with the worst Mercedes of the hybrid era. Mega disaster for Red Bull. Masterpiece by Leclerc, who dominated the race with his iron fist.”
Sports: “The Scuderia is having a party in Bahrain. It’s the year of Ferrari revenge.”