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Verstappen and Leclerc strike disaster on lap one in Sakhir GP

Photo: © LAT Images

Verstappen and Leclerc strike disaster on lap one in Sakhir GP

Ferrari and Red Bull challengers frustrated after first lap drama

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Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc crashed out of the Sakhir Grand Prix on lap one after a three-car incident that also involved Racing Point’s Sergio Perez.

Verstappen and Perez were three-abreast with the slow starting Mercedes of Valterri Bottas but the Red Bull driver slowed early as they headed towards turn four.

That allowed Lecerc to challenge on the inside, but the Ferrari driver went in too hard and collided with Perez, sending the Racing Point into a spin, forcing Leclerc into the barriers.

Forced wide and onto the gravel, Verstappen's bid to get back on the power resulted in him careering into a barrier.

“I couldn’t do anything there,” said Verstappen over the radio, before getting out of the car and kicking the barrier in frustration.

Both drivers had been expected to challenge for a podium finish after showing good pace in long runs during practice, and after starting from third and fourth on the grid respectively.

Perez recovered to continue after a front-wing change, but dropped to last with work to do to fight his way back through the field.

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