The Bahrain Grand Prix was all about the return of Ferrari. The Italian racing team has struggled in recent years to keep up with the top teams, but immediately took first and second place during the opening race. Christijan Albers expected a victory for Max Verstappen, he told in the Formula 1 Podcast of De Telegraaf.
The Dutchman experienced excellent winter test days with Red Bull Racing, which made the Austrian racing stable seem ready for the new season. In qualifying Verstappen came up just short of taking the fastest time from Charles Leclerc, but in the race Albers was expecting more.
Albers expected Verstappen to win
The opposite was true, however, as Ferrari again came out strong. Verstappen seemed consigned to second place, but that place also slipped through his fingers as due to technical problems he did not score any points for his team.
"After the race I was actually a bit depressed," said Albers. "I expected Verstappen to win the race. He really is a pure racer and a talent. You can always see that coming back to the surface." Nevertheless, Verstappen failed to do so. "Those two Ferrari's, especially Leclerc, were in a class of their own."