After plenty of talking and predictions, the new F1 season finally got under way on Sunday night as the lights went out for the first time in 2023 at the Bahrain International Circuit.
When the field of 20 drivers charged off the line, it was pole-sitter Max Verstappen who made the best start to pull clear and hold his lead into Turn 1, as Red Bull team mate Sergio Perez went to battle with the Ferraris behind.
LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix
Some exhilarating wheel-to-wheel action saw Charles Leclerc slot into second ahead of Perez and Carlos Sainz, while Fernando Alonso somehow managed to continue after being thumped by fellow Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll at Turn 4.
There was more drama further back as F1 returnee Nico Hulkenberg ran into Esteban Ocon at the same Turn 4 bottleneck, with part of his front wing flying off shortly afterwards.
Relive an exciting race start at the Bahrain Grand Prix in the video player above.
Next Up
Related Articles
Antonelli's first F1 win was ‘just a matter of time’ says Bottas
Antonelli evaluates how much he's stepped up in second F1 season
6 key factors that have seen Alpine jump up the order
When Formula 1 meets golf
10 of the most striking one-off liveries in recent F1 history
11 ways for fans to get their F1 fix during April