Summary

  • Max Verstappen wins season opener in Bahrain, Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez P2

  • Fernando Alonso passes second Ferrari of Carlos Sainz to claim a brilliant third place on Aston Martin debut

  • Ferrari's Charles Leclerc retires from third on lap 41

  • McLaren's Oscar Piastri out of debut race with apparent electrical issue, Alpine's Esteban Ocon also retires after several time penalties

  • Get involved via #bbcf1

  • Use audio icon at top of the page to listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentary

Live Reporting

Lorraine McKenna

  1. Lap 4 of 57

    Fastest lap marker goes to George Russell as Mercedes continues to run in sixth place. Lando Norris has lost a spot to Alex Albon in the Williams and now finds himself in 12th.

  2. Jack Nicholls
    BBC Radio 5 Live F1 commentator

    The two Aston Martins coming together but Alonso behind both Mercedes now.

    Lance Stroll sends it in really deep and how Alonso didn't end up getting spun around or a puncture from that is remarkable because Stroll came barrelling into turn four, whacked Alonso's car but they survive unscathed - for the time being, it seems.

  3. Lap 4 of 57

    Sergio Perez had Carlos Sainz huffing and puffing behind him in the Ferrari at the start race, which opened the door for his Scuderia team-mate Charles Leclerc to move up into second place.

    "I've been hit!" Fernando Alonso said on the radio. Little did he know it was his team-mate who tagged his right-rear tyre...

  4. 'Debris on the straight'

    Sam Bird
    Formula E driver on BBC Radio 5 Live

    There is debris on the straight between Turn 10 and Turn 11 - we don't know what car that is from. We don't know if Fernando Alonso's car has picked up damage but I can imagine Alonso will not be happy with that.

  5. Top five

    1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

    2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

    3. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)

    4. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)

    5. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

    Max VerstappenGetty Images

  6. Lap 2 of 57

    Lance Stroll was looking to pip George Russell in the Mercedes but in his eagerness to move up the field, he tagged his Aston Martin buddy Alonso.

  7. 'Worst possible start for Aston martin'

    Sam Bird
    Formula E driver on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Heart was in my mouth - that was an incredible start. What bravery from everybody, but the worst possible start from Aston Martin.

  8. Lap 1 of 57

    Max Verstappen leads from Charles Leclerc. The Ferrari got the jump on Sergio Perez thanks to those fresh tyres.

    Aston Martin tell Fernando Alonso his tyres look fine. The Spaniard is down into seventh.

  9. 'Who's going to blink first?'

    Jack Nicholls
    BBC Radio 5 Live F1 commentator

    We're anticipating a two-stop strategy with the pit-stops coming around laps 17 to 18 - but it's a bit of a game of chess - who's going to blink first?

  10. Lap 1 of 57

    Max Verstappen pulls away from the field as sparks fly out of those 2023 challengers. Charles Leclerc has made his way passed Sergio Perez. The two Aston Martins have touched!

    Bahrain grand prix start, Verstappen leadsGetty Images

  11. Go! Go! Go!

    Make your moves, class of 2023.

    2023 gridGetty Images

  12. 'It is like the Mercedes is a mystery'

    Sam Bird
    Formula E driver on BBC Radio 5 Live

    It is like the [Mercedes] car is a mystery because at some points it has shown a real turn of pace and then there is other times where it is languishing down in ninth or 10th - not where they want to be. They have hit this halfway point. Personally, I don't think they will be in for a podium finish.

  13. Lance Stroll with a slight lock up already and goes off into the run-off area. No kerbs were hit so the Aston Martin is fine. Phew.

  14. Get Involved

    #BBCF1

    Jennifer: My prediction: 1. Perez; 2. Alonso; 3. Russell

    John: Podium Prediction: P1. Leclerc P2. Perez P3. Hamilton. Bold Prediction: Alonso and Verstappen have an incident into Turn 01 that takes them both out of the race

  15. 'Alonso can sniff a podium'

    Andrew Benson
    BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer

    Fernando Alonso is the best first lap driver in Formula 1. He will be looking to make ground - I think he can sniff a podium. He will be trying to go forward if he can.

  16. Only Kevin Magnussen has gone with the hard tyres on the Haas. Everyone else is on the softs.

    Formation lap is under way...

  17. 'We have seen multiple people topping time sheets'

    Sam Bird
    Formula E driver on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I am so excited for this. I really don't know which way it is going to go. Everybody predicted at the beginning of the year and after testing that Max Verstappen would wipe the floor with everybody but it hasn't been the case this weekend. We have seen multiple people topping time sheets.

  18. Starting grid

    A reminder of how we line up in Bahrain.

    GridFormula 1 Twitter

  19. Get Involved

    #BBCF1

    Rachel T: Hoping for an insane race, with Lewis emerging from the dust to claim a wild win.

    Josh Earl: Come on Lewis, a good start is very much needed today!

  20. 'Aston Martin have a good car'

    Rosanna Tennant
    5 Live F1 reporter

    Rosanna Tennant was talking to Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack:

    "I think we have a good car. We have confirmed that by now. We have a good baseline to do a good season.

    "Alonso has brought a lot of good energy to the team, really motivating the team.

    "We have no doubt that Lance will hold out. He did a fantastic job so far and I am confident he will score confidently today."