Sakhir (Bahrain) (AFP)

The year changes but the winner is not: Lewis Hamilton, seven-time world champion and F1 title holder, won the first Grand Prix of the year in Bahrain, ahead of Max Verstappen who started from pole position.

It was just a mirage in the Bahrain desert: Verstappen, who started on pole, failed to confirm in the race on Sunday.

Sir Lewis, ennobled in the United Kingdom by the Queen, remains for the moment the king of Formula 1 at the wheel of his Mercedes.

Mercedes, winner of all driver's and manufacturer's titles since 2014, once again places two drivers on a podium, with Valtteri Bottas in 3rd place.

Before a revolution expected in 2022 with new cars, the 2021 season starts with a victory for Hamilton, his 96th in F1, and therefore for Mercedes, even if Verstappen and Red Bull have reason to believe it.

- "I knew he was going to catch up with me" -

Because the Briton, who can obtain an 8th record title this year after having equaled Michael Schumacher in 2020, was until the end under the threat of the young Max, 23 years old.

"I knew he was going to catch up with me and that it would be almost impossible to keep him behind," Hamilton said at a press conference.

After the pitstop game, Verstappen was eight seconds behind Hamilton with 16 laps to go.

With his new hard tires, he did indeed catch up and even ended up overtaking the Briton with three laps to go.

But, having exceeded the limits of the track in a turn, he had to resolve to let Hamilton pass again.

Definitely.

"I had no grip, not enough to make a difference anyway, and of course I went too wide at turn 4, so I had to give him back the position, that's how it is", a explained Verstappen.

He nevertheless stressed that the important thing is to have taken a lot of points (28 against 41 for Mercedes).

"Last year, we would have been happy with this result, but this year we are disappointed, it shows that we have made great progress," he continued.

For Bottas, 3rd, the Mercedes team “does not have the fastest car” for the moment but can be satisfied with the result, given the difficulties experienced during winter testing with its rear axle.

- Schumacher 16th -

In front of some spectators vaccinated or cured of Covid-19, under a mild but windy weather, after scorching temperatures on Saturday, the pilots respected a moment of meditation, kneeling or hands behind their backs, against racism, as they had often done last year, before leaving after dark.

If the Covid-19 pandemic allows it, the season foresees a record 23 Grands Prix this season.

With the Hamilton-Verstappen match as headliner.

Sunday's spectacular finish, "it's something the fans have been waiting for a long time," Hamilton said, "even if it's just a race."

The 36-year-old Englishman, record holder for victories (96) and pole positions (98) has already set a new record: he has now led for 5,126 laps in the race since the start of his career.

Better than Schumacher.

Behind the two untouchables and Bottas, Briton Lando Norris (McLaren) is 4th ahead of Sergio Pérez.

Arrived this winter at Red Bull, the Mexican had started the race from the pit lane, victim of an electrical problem during the formation lap.

Ferrari, 6th in the constructors' standings last year, placed its drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in 6th and 8th places.

For his return to F1 at 39, Fernando Alonso (Alpine, Renault's new name), had to retire as he fought to finish in the Top 10. Debris got stuck in a brake duct, causing a crash. overheating, explained his team.

Finally, Mick Schumacher, son of Michael, completed his first GP in 16th place.

In the Haas team, the 22-year-old German can't hope for much better this year.

He nevertheless became the first Schumacher to finish his first Grand Prix, which his father, and his uncle Ralf, had failed to do.

© 2021 AFP