After years of dominance by Mercedes, the title fight in the Formula 1 World Championship should finally turn into a real duel. Although series champion Lewis Hamilton won the season opener in Bahrain, he had to defend himself against Red Bull ace Max Verstappen until the end. “We love the challenge, I love this challenge,” said the Briton after his 96th Grand Prix triumph, with which he took the first step towards the eighth drivers‘ title.
