Verstappen after dominant win in Bahrain: 'Went better than expected'

Free practice and qualifying were hopeful for the competition, but at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Max Verstappen completely crushed the competition. He did not relinquish the lead for a moment and admitted after the Formula 1 race that it "went better than expected".

Verstappen: 'Went better than expected'

Verstappen won the Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit by over 20 seconds ahead of Red Bull Racing teammate Sergio Perez, driving in no man's land from start to finish. "Unbelievable. I think today went even better than expected. I think the car was really nice to drive on every compound," the Dutchman assessed after the race in conversation with David Coulthard.

"I think we had a lot of pace and it was just super enjoyable to drive today. We stayed out of trouble and it's a great start of the year, it couldn't have been better," he added. "It was a lot of fun and I felt really good in the car. It's always very special to have these kind of days because they don't happen that often where it all goes perfect and you are at one with the car."

As for his expectations for next week's Saudi Arabia GP, Verstappen does not want to say much yet. "It's a long season and it's a great place in the world to be. So for me, a couple days rest and we go again," said the three-time world champion.