SAKHIR, Bahrain — Max Verstappen’s dominant Bahrain Grand Prix victory seemed normal by his high standards.
The surprise of the Formula One season opening race? Fernando Alonso in a stunning third place on his debut for Aston Martin.
Verstappen cruised to the win Sunday as he opened his defense of his back-to-back world championships. His dominance put all the focus on the rest of the field and it was Alonso who stole the show with his first podium in 26 races — a performance that came 13 years after he won in Bahrain with Ferrari.
The Spaniard felt Aston Martin had a fighting chance after preseason testing, and he was strong all weekend in Bahrain in spectacular debut with his new organization.
“I had the same feeling from testing — it’s too good to be true,” Alonso said. “But it seems real. I could have driven for another hour on the track.”
Alonso has now kicked off “Mission 33,’ the catchphrase his fans created as he chases a 33rd career F1 victory. The 41-year-old is a two-time world champion but last won a grand prix 10 years ago.
“I would say yes, when you are P3 in race one, anything can happen in 22 races,” Alonso said of his chances at winning a race this year.
Verstappen’s mastery, meanwhile, is becoming increasingly commonplace. He won a record 15 races last year and led almost the entire race on Sunday as Red Bull clinched a 1-2 finish.
Sergio Perez finished second, but a full 12 seconds behind his teammate.
As Red Bull celebrated, the spotlight shifted to Alonso and Aston Martin, which also got a sixth-place finish from Lance Stroll.
“What have you done guys? What have you done?” a jubilant Alonso radioed his team. “I’m so proud.”
Alonso, who joined after an acrimonious split with Alpine, pumped his fist at the finish line and then hugged his race crew.
“To finish on the podium first race of the year is just amazing,” Alonso said. “What Aston Martin did over the winter to have the second best car on race one is just unreal.”
Verstappen’s 36th career win was the Dutchman’s first at the flood-lit Sakhir circuit, where he retired just laps from the end in last year’s opening race.
“That was exactly the start to the season we needed,” said Verstappen, who retired from three of his first four career races in Bahrain. “I’m very happy to finally win a race here.”
Both Red Bulls failed to finish the race in 2022.
“Our best start ever, much different to last year,” Perez said. “I’m comfortable with the car.”
The start of the new year brought no new luck to Ferrari as defending race winner Charles Leclerc lost power while running third near the end of the race.
“No, no, no, no,” pleaded Leclerc over his radio as his car slowed to a stop. Ferrari had changed an engine battery before the race, too.
“It’s a pity because it’s at these weekends where you have to maximize points,” Leclerc said. “Unfortunately we’ve taken a step back.”
Leclerc’s engine caused panic at Ferrari, and Carlos Sainz Jr. didn’t even bother trying to defend Alonso’s pass for third with 11 laps remaining.
Sainz finished fourth ahead of seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton and Stroll, who missed preseason testing because of an injury suffered in a bicycle accident. He needed surgery on his right wrist and wasn’t even confirmed able to drive this weekend until Thursday.
“Congrats to my teammate Lance; 12 days ago he had surgery,” Alonso said. “He is fighting right up with everybody. So amazing for the team.”
George Russell was seventh for Mercedes and was followed by Valtteri Bottas of Alfa Romeo, and Pierre Gasly, who recovered from starting last to finish ninth in his Alpine debut. Williams driver Alex Albon rounded out the top 10.
Logan Sargeant, the first American driver on the grid since 2015, was 12th for Williams after starting 16th.
It was a day to forget for Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, who was hit with three time penalties totaling 20 seconds and finished 18th.
Alonso was a menace for Ferrari and Mercedes, who both made tactical tire stops to ward off any challenges from Alonso. That helped Stroll, who used the undercut perfectly to overtake Russell just as he was emerging following a second tire change.
Alonso passed Hamilton on Lap 37 but then slid wide as Hamilton reclaimed position. Alonso had another go on the next lap, and passed him by attacking on the outside and then quickly diving inside in a classic move.
It could be one of many such moves in a season where Alonso has a car to match his talents.
“This is just the beginning,” Alonso said.
Next up: the Saudi Arabian GP on March 19, where there are more long straights, high-speed corners and less tire degradation. ___
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The past weekend of football was all about the favourites.
The favoured teams went 13-1 straight up and 10-4 against the spread in the NFL. In college football, the three most teams bet at the BetMGM Sportsbook in terms of number of bets and money all won and covered. All three were favourites.
Trends of the Week
The three most bet college teams that won and covered on Saturday were Ohio State (-3.5) vs. Penn State, Indiana (-7.5) at Michigan State and Oregon (-14.5) at Michigan. Penn State has now lost seven straight home games as underdogs. The Nittany Lions were up 10-0 in the first quarter and were 3.5-point favourites at the time. The Buckeyes won 17-10.
In the NFL, the three most bet teams in terms of number of bets and money were the Washington Commanders (-4) at the New York Giants, the Detroit Lions (-2.5) at the Green Bay Packers and the Buffalo Bills (-6) vs. the Miami Dolphins. All three teams won, but only two of the three covered the spread as Buffalo beat Miami 30-27.
When it came to the players with the most bets to score a touchdown on Sunday, only two of the five reached the end zone — Chase Brown (-125) and Taysom Hill (+185). David Montgomery (-140), Brian Robinson Jr. (+110) and AJ Barner (+500) did not score.
Upsets of the Week
The biggest upset in the NFL was the Carolina Panthers coming from behind to beat the New Orleans Saints 23-22. New Orleans closed as a 7-point favourite and took in 76% of the bets and 79% of the money in against-the-spread betting. The Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen following the loss. They have now lost seven straight games after starting the year 2-0.
Arguably the biggest upset in college football was South Carolina beating No. 10 Texas A&M 44-20 at home. Texas A&M closed as a 2.5-point favourite and took in 59% of the bets and 58% of the money.
NEW YORK – Washington Capitals left-wing Alex Ovechkin, Carolina Hurricanes centre Martin Necas and Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week.
Ovechkin had a league-leading five goals and nine points in four games.
The 39-year-old Capitals captain has 14 points in 11 games this season, and his 860 career goals are just 34 shy of Wayne Gretzky’s record.
Necas shared the league lead with nine points (three goals, six assists) in three games.
Crosby factored on seven of the Penguins’ eight total goals scoring four goals and adding three assists in three appearances. The 37-year-old Penguins captain leads his team with 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 13 games this season.
Crosby and Ovechkin, longtime rivals since entering the league together in 2005-06, will meet for the 70th time in the regular season and 95th time overall when Pittsburgh visits Washington on Friday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 4, 2024.
TORONTO – Running back Brady Oliveira of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell are the finalists for the CFL’s outstanding player award.
Oliveira led the CFL in rushing this season with 1,353 yards while Mitchell was the league leader in passing yards (5,451) and touchdowns (32).
Oliveira is also the West Division finalist for the CFL’s top Canadian award, the second straight year he’s been nominated for both.
Oliveira was the CFL’s outstanding Canadian in 2023 and the runner-up to Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for outstanding player.
Defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund of the Montreal Alouettes is the East Division’s top Canadian nominee.
Voting for the awards is conducted by the Football Reporters of Canada and the nine CFL head coaches.
The other award finalists include: defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal linebacker Tyrice Beverette (outstanding defensive player); Saskatchewan’s Logan Ferland and Toronto’s Ryan Hunter (outstanding lineman); B.C. Lions kicker Sean Whyte and Toronto returner Janarion Grant (special teams); and Edmonton Elks linebacker Nick Anderson and Hamilton receiver Shemar Bridges (outstanding rookie).
The coach of the year finalists are Saskatchewan’s Corey Mace and Montreal’s Jason Maas.
The CFL will honour its top individual performers Nov. 14 in Vancouver.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31.
