HIGHLIGHTS: Watch all the action from the Bahrain GP as the fight for victory went down to the last lap
Formula 1 fans have been crying out for Red Bull to build Max Verstappen a car that would allow him to properly challenge Lewis Hamilton, and in the RB16B they seem to have delivered.
The Dutchman took a brilliant pole on Saturday, and got off the line to lead ahead of his Mercedes rival in the early stages of the season opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
Different tactics between the two teams then set up an absolutely thrilling battle between the two in the final laps of the race, with the young pretender to the crown hunting down the seven-time champ as the laps ticked down.
Verstappen even managed to get past Hamilton with just a handful of laps remaining, but had gone too wide in doing so and had to give the place back, with Hamilton then holding him off to the flag.
Hit play on the video above to see all the key moments from a superbly entertaining and tense opening race of the 2021 season.
Next Up
Related Articles
ExclusiveHow APXGP was brought to life by costume designer Julian Day
Power RankingsWho did our judges rank as the best F1 driver of 2025?
Celebrating the first F1 Allwyn Global Community Awards
Ferrari confirm launch date for 2026 campaign
Formula 1’s record-breaking 2025 season in numbers
Leclerc calls Ferrari’s focus shift to 2026 a ‘no-brainer’