Bahrain GP
1 Leclerc 2 Sainz 3 Hamilton
A new season and a new era begin with a blockbuster. Ferrari confirms it’s a true title contender again, and for three laps Leclerc is content to strategically lose track position to Verstappen only to surge back past with DRS for victory. The Dutchman begins his title defence with a non-score as both Red Bulls retire with fuel-pump issues in the closing stages.
Saudi Arabian GP
1 Verstappen 2 Leclerc 3 Sainz
A nearby missile strike dominates the headlines prior to another DRS duel. Polesitter Perez is hampered by an ill-timed safety car interlude that tees up his team-mate. By now, Verstappen has spent nearly two full races staring at the back of Leclerc’s Ferrari, so checks his pace to gain DRS before deploying the Honda engine on the long straights to win.
Australian GP
1 Leclerc 2 Perez 3 Russell
Pole, win and fastest lap: Leclerc is in
