The result, however, wasn’t considered a huge shock given the performances of the two Scuderia drivers in pre-season testing. After completing more combined laps than any other team in Barcelona, the pair showed impressive pace in the second bout of testing in the Middle East, before Leclerc duly took pole position in the season opener.
He then became embroiled in an epic duel with Verstappen, with the lead changing hands at multiple points before the Ferrari man began to pull clear. The Dutchman then had to retire late in the race due to car problems, allowing Sainz to come through, whilst Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez also spun out which enabled Lewis Hamilton to take third.
Despite the season only being one race old, a perception is building that this season could represent the best chance the Italian giants will have of capturing a first drivers’ title since 2007. In that campaign, Kimi Raikkonen was crowned champion after edging out then rookie Hamilton on the final weekend.
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