Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has won the Formula 1 season opener in Bahrain.
In a gripping final phase on Sunday, the Monegasque relegated his team-mate Carlos Sainz to second place.
World Champion Max Verstappen had to park his Red Bull in the garage after a defect with three laps to go and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton was third.
The international press writes about this:
Great Britain:
The Guardian:
"The new era of Formula One could not have asked for a more compelling start than the drama, triumph and disaster of the season opener in Bahrain."
Spain:
"AS":
"Ferrari crashes the champion.
Strong doubles with Leclerc winning and Sainz second.
Verstappen fought for the win but his steering wheel broke.
Alonso, tenth.
Red Bull, zero points.”
Italy:
“La Repubblica”:
“But here they are again: they came to the desert to win, (...), they stayed true to their strength, which could already be seen in the pre-season tests and also in the qualification .
The double whammy increases the size of the Reds (of the Ferrari team).”
"La Gazzetta dello Sport":
"Leclerc first, Sainz second: Ferrari is back.
Red euphoria.
It's not a mirage in the desert.
It's all true.
(...) The new era of Formula 1 begins in Bahrain with a rousing triumph.
(...) Two years in purgatory to be able to see the stars again.
Ferrari rose again from the rubble of 2020 when sixth place in the Constructors' Championship was their worst result since 1980."
"Corriere della Sera":
"Red resurrection.
One and two for Leclerc and Sainz, Ferrari returns to its former glory.
(...) It's the Ferrari New Year, the celebration of liberation after the black ribbon of 45 Grands Prix without a win.
(...) It ends deep injuries, seasons of humiliation, fighting for a few occasional podiums in stages.”
Switzerland:
"Blick":
"Exuberant Ferrari celebrations in Bahrain.
It's worked out.
The first victory since September 22, 2019 (Vettel in Singapore) is a fact.
The Scuderia's long suffering is over."