Sakhir, March 28 -- : Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton on Sunday won a nail-biting Bahrain Grand Prix season opener, triumphing over Red Bull's Max Verstappen in a fantastic duel in the desert that went down to the very last lap of the race.
Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas completed the podium. Starting from the fourth pole position of his career, Verstappen had taken control of the race early on, but lost his advantage when Hamilton was able to undercut the Dutchman into the lead in the first round of pit stops.
Following a second stop for both drivers - Verstappen's coming 10 laps after Hamilton's - a thrilling finale was set up, Verstappen eating into Hamilton's lead before attempting a pass on Lap 53 but running too wide and giving the place back....