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Lewis Hamilton defied the odds to hold off Max Verstappen and win the Bahrain Grand Prix.<\/p>\nLewis Hamilton defied the odds to hold off Max Verstappen and win the Bahrain Grand Prix.<\/p>\n
In a fascinating conclusion to the opening race of the year, Hamilton and Verstappen raced all the way to the chequered flag, with the former crossing the line just 0.7 seconds ahead of his rival.<\/p>\n
Verstappen appeared to have won the grand prix after driving past Hamilton around the outside of Turn 4, with just three laps remaining.<\/p>\n
But the Dutchman was instructed by his team to give the position back to Hamilton, fearing their star driver would be penalized by the stewards for running off the track.<\/p>\n
Hamilton then managed to keep Verstappen at arm\u2019s length for the concluding laps to win the 96th race of his life in his pursuit of an unprecedented eighth world title.<\/p>\n
Valtteri Bottas finished third, with British driver Lando Norris fourth for McLaren.<\/p>\n
Standing with his hands on his hips, Verstappen, who started from pole position, said: \u201cIt is a shame but you have to see the positive because we are taking the fight to them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hamilton added: \u201cWhat a difficult race that was. Stopping early was going to be difficult but we had to cover Max. It was going to take something pretty special.<\/p>\n
\u201cMax was all over me right at the end but I just about managed to hold him off and it was one of the hardest races I have had for a while.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach year they are talking about when you hit your peak, and I\u2019m at that and Max is really doing well, too, so it\u2019s going to take everything and more from us but I love the challenge, and I love what I do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hamilton twice stopped for tires earlier than Verstappen in a bid to undercut the Red Bull car.<\/p>\n
Following the second round of stops, Verstappen exited the pit lane 8.5 seconds behind Hamilton with 16 laps left.<\/p>\n
It provided a mouth-watering climax as Verstappen, the driver desperate to dethrone Hamilton as F1\u2019s ruler, set about chasing his man.<\/p>\n
And on lap 53 of 56 under the lights of the Sakhir International Circuit, Verstappen seemed to have done just that, as he drove around his rival\u2019s black machine.<\/p>\n
But Red Bull were instructed by the stewards to order Verstappen to give the place back.<\/p>\n
Hamilton has won six of the last seven titles, with his Mercedes team winning both drivers\u2019 and constructors\u2019 championships every year since 2014.<\/p>\n
But Verstappen\u2019s encouraging weekend \u2013 the flying Dutchman topping every practice session and claiming pole while running Hamilton all the way to the flag \u2013 suggests the record-breaking Briton will be provided with his toughest challenge of recent times and the tantalizing prospect of a year-long fight.<\/p>\n
Sergio Perez finished fifth on his Red Bull debut after he was forced to start from the pit lane following technical trouble on the parade lap.<\/p>\n
On his comeback to the sport after a two-year hiatus, Fernando Alonso failed to make the flag after brake failure, while Sebastian Vettel limped to 15th in his maiden Aston Martin appearance. The four-time world champion crashed into Alpine\u2019s Esteban Ocon on a dour weekend for the former Ferrari man.<\/p>\n
Mick Schumacher was 16th and last while his Haas team-mate Nikita Mazepin\u2019s debut lasted just three corners as he crashed out.<\/p>\n