This weekend the Formula 1 drivers will return to Bahrain, but this year in November. Bahrain is usually planned for the beginning of the season and last year it was an exciting race, but it was one to forget for Charles Leclerc. .

It is March 2019 when Formula 1 arrives in Bahrain, after the first round of the championship was won by Valtteri Bottas, Ferrari's engine suddenly came alive in Bahrain. Charles Leclerc took his first pole in Formula 1 and Sebastian Vettel joined him in second place. Verstappen experienced a tough qualifying session and had to settle for P5. 

Dramatic day for Ferrari

At the start of the race it seemed to go wrong for Leclerc, who had to beat Bottas and Vettel in the first lap. However, the young Monegasque recovered quickly and, against the orders of his team, regained the lead again. From that moment on it was free play for Leclerc, who seemed to have the victory in sight.

Behind him, Verstappen fought a battle with Carlos Sainz, causing the Spaniard to go to the pits with damage. Verstappen was able to turn fifth place into fourth place thanks to Sebastian Vettel who spun in a duel with Lewis Hamilton. With no contact whatsoever with the other car, Vettel spun, damaged his car and fell back.

Never a podium for Max

The dramatic day for Ferrari is only going to get worse, because at the head Leclerc will also have engine problems. He is losing a lot of power and Hamilton and Bottas are able to overtake him. It is an agony for Leclerc, who, with the help of the Safety Car, manages to keep Verstappen behind him to get to the podium for the first time.

For Verstappen it is a race to forget and that happens often in Bahrain. The Dutchman dropped out no less than three times in five seasons, finished sixth in his second season for Toro Rosso and had to make do with a fourth place in 2019. Will 2020 be the year in which Verstappen can take the podium for the first time ?