Race Weekend Central

F1 Review: Max Verstappen & Red Bull Set the Tone for 2023 in Bahrain

F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain

Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool //

Max Verstappen dominated the 2023 season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix as Red Bull earned a 1-2 finish.

F1 Review: Soaked Suzuka Sees Max Verstappen Win 2nd Championship

Verstappen Suzuka Featured

SUZUKA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 09: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka International Racing Course on October 09, 2022 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Max Verstappen won his second F1 World Championship in a rain-shortened Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

Slipstream Saturday: Max Verstappen on Pole in Return to Suzuka

F1 Grand Prix of Japan - Final Practice

SUZUKA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 08: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka International Racing Course on October 08, 2022 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images/ Red Bull Content Pool)

Max Verstappen bested Charles Leclerc to take pole position as F1 returned to the Suzuka Circuit in Japan for the first time since 2019.

Formula 1 Racing News: More About Participants In 2022

Formula 1's Lewis Hamilton congratulates Max Verstappen after 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Lars Baron Getty Images

(Photo: Lars Baron/Getty Images via Red Bull Content Pool)

Let’s check out the entire driver grid for the ongoing Formula 1 season and how things are going for each team.

Slipstream Saturday: Charles Leclerc Continues Ferrari Resurgence, Takes Pole for Australian GP

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Charles Leclerc on track at the Australian Grand Prix, Prince Albert Park (credit: FIA Media)

After a two-year break, Formula 1 returned to Australia, and Charles Leclerc will start the grand prix from the pole when the lights go out.  In what is shaping up as an early-season duel between Ferrari and Red Bull, or more specifically Charles Leclerc and reigning champion Max Verstappen, the two led the way through …

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F1 Review: Max Verstappen Fights Back for the Win; DNFs Galore at 2022 Saudi Arabian GP

F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - MARCH 27: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 and Charles Leclerc of Monaco driving (16) the Ferrari F1-75 battle for track position during the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on March 27, 2022 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Getty Images via Red Bull Content Pool)

Max Verstappen overtook Charles Leclerc in the closing laps of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to earn his first win of the season in a race spelled by two safety car periods.

F1 Review: Ferrari Starts Strong, Magnussen Surprises, McLaren Mystifies

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Haas F1 celebrates after their drivers finish fifth and 11th at the F1 season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix (credit: HaasF1 Media)

Ferrari started the F1 season with a 1-2 showing at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Red Bull faltered at the end of the race allowing Mercedes to earn vital points. McLaren looked like a mess as their former driver Kevin Magnussen scored a fifth-place finish for Haas.

Slipstream Saturday: Ferrari & Red Bull Lead in Bahrain; New Car Issues Abound

leclerc

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 18: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on March 18, 2022 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202203180427 // Usage for editorial use only //

Ferrari placed its drivers at the front in the first two practices of the Bahrain GP, with Max Verstappen looking to start his title defense off right. Other teams, like Mercedes, McLaren, and Alpine face struggles with the new F1 car.

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