Max Verstappen began the 2024 season right where he left off in 2023. In the Bahrain Grand Prix, he skillfully converted his pole position into a victory with a composed drive. He finished ahead of his Ferrari rival in third place and his Red Bull teammate in second place, setting the stage for a strong start to his title defense. Verstappen dominated the race from start to finish.
After completing the 57 laps, Verstappen crossed the finish line 22 seconds ahead of Perez, who recovered from a low qualifying effort to secure second place for Red Bull. Perez, who started in fifth position, made an impressive climb up the ranks. The Bahrain Grand Prix showcased Red Bull’s strong performance, with Verstappen leading the charge. The Dutchman is determined to secure his fourth world championship.
Verstappen expressed his surprise at the car’s performance, noting that it exceeded his expectations. He described the car as enjoyable to drive on all types of tires. The 22-second gap between Verstappen and his competitors demonstrates the car’s dominance.
Sergio Perez described the start of the season as great. Starting in fifth position and using soft compound tires, Perez made a daring overtake on Carlos Sainz early in the race, propelling himself into fourth place. He continued to close the gap between himself and the leaders, eventually passing the Mercedes driver to secure third place. Perez’s strategic use of soft compound tires allowed Red Bull to achieve a 1-2 finish.
The question remains whether Perez can challenge Verstappen in equal machinery. Today’s race showed a 22-second gap between the two drivers. With Perez’s contract expiring at the end of the 2024 season, he must prove himself to the team and demonstrate his ability to compete with Verstappen. Consistency will be key for Perez to secure his place at Red Bull, unlike the previous year where he struggled with a lack of consistency in the RB19 car.