Leclerc had began in pole place after a formidable qualifying and, after a battle with reigning world champion Max Verstappen, seemed to be cruising to victory.
That was till a security automobile was deployed within the closing phases which noticed the pack bunch up for the restart.
In Bahrain, Leclerc held on to the lead after the restart with Verstappen sizzling on his tail however the Crimson Bull driver — who was already complaining a couple of steering subject along with his automobile — dropped out of the race completely after showing to lose energy.
The Dutchman was livid and might be heard berating his workforce over the radio as Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz overtook him into second.
It went from dangerous to worse for Crimson Bull as moments later the workforce’s different driver Sergio Perez — who was in third — additionally started struggling along with his automobile, permitting Hamilton to say an unlikely podium place on the ultimate lap.
It was an enormous outcome for Mercedes with the workforce nonetheless struggling to good the automobile — its different driver George Russell completed fourth.
However for Ferrari, who hadn’t received a race since September 2019, the season couldn’t have gotten off to a greater begin.
“I am so glad. We knew this was a giant alternative for the workforce and the fellows have accomplished an unbelievable job constructing this superb automobile,” Leclerc stated.
“A one-two at the moment with Carlos — we could not hope for higher. It is unbelievable to be again on the prime.”
Not since 1983 has F1 launched such sweeping adjustments to the design of the automobiles.
It was hoped the brand new rules would make overtaking simpler and it definitely appeared the case with Leclerc and Verstappen buying and selling locations 5 instances in simply two laps within the early phases.
Nevertheless it was the protection automobile that but once more that prompted probably the most drama — solely this time it was Hamilton who profited over Crimson Bull.
On Saturday, the report of the investigation was submitted to the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council, which concluded that the outcomes of the title decider are “legitimate, remaining and can’t now be modified.”
Hamilton had all however received his record-breaking eighth world title over the eventual winner Verstappen, when Williams Racing driver Nicholas Latifi crashed into the limitations with 4 laps remaining, ensuing within the security automobile being referred to as out.
The controversy reached its peak when a message from the race director initially stated lapped automobiles between Hamilton and Verstappen wouldn’t be allowed to unlap themselves — just for Masi to seem to vary his thoughts moments later — leaving the Crimson Bull driver proper behind Hamilton with recent tires and only one lap to go.
Masi’s determination meant the race would restart within the remaining lap, with Verstappen allowed to begin virtually side-by-side Hamilton, regardless of the Brit having established a wholesome lead.
The FIA’s investigation stated Masi was performing in good religion; nonetheless, he was eliminated as F1 race director in February.
CNN’s Homero DeLaFuente contributed reporting.
