The opening race of the <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/f1/" target="_blank">2023 Formula One </a>calendar in Bahrain went pretty much on expected lines as <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/f1/2023/03/05/max-verstappen-wins-season-opening-bahrain-grand-prix/" target="_blank">Red Bull and Max Verstappen dominated </a>in Sakhir. World champion <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/max-verstappen/" target="_blank">Verstappen</a> claimed his maiden season-opening victory as he led Sergio Perez home in a Red Bull one-two at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The defending double world champion led from start to finish, establishing himself as firm favourite for a third consecutive drivers' crown. Behind the two Red Bulls, two-time champion Fernando Alonso, 41, stormed his way to third place for Aston Martin in his first appearance with the team since replacing the retired Sebastian Vettel. However, it was more of the same for Mercedes' veteran driver <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/lewis-hamilton" target="_blank">Lewis Hamilton</a>. Team boss Toto Wolff said Mercedes had <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/f1/2023/03/06/hamilton-bemoans-mercedes-lack-of-speed-as-wolff-declares-bahrain-one-of-our-worst-days/" target="_blank">“one of their worst days” </a>in racing in Bahrain after Hamilton and George Russell finished fifth and seventh respectively. Seven-time champion Hamilton said Mercedes had slipped to become “the fourth-fastest team”. “They were just quicker than us,” said a calm Hamilton. “The Ferraris are quicker than us. We're the fourth-fastest team.” The season now moves on to Saudi Arabia this weekend. <b>Venue</b> Jeddah Corniche Circuit <b>Schedule</b> Friday, March 17: First practice (5.30pm UAE time); Second practice (9pm) Saturday, March 18: Third practice (5.30pm); Qualifying (9pm) Sunday, March 19: Race (9pm) Formula One fans in the UAE can watch all the races on MBC’s streaming platform <a href="http://www.shahid.net/">www.shahid.net</a>. Also, you can catch all the race highlights on F1's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Formula1/videos" target="_blank">official YouTube page</a>. March 17-19: Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, Jeddah March 31-April 2: Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne April 28-30: Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku May 5-7: Miami Grand Prix May 19-21: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Imola May 26-28: Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo June 2-4: Spanish Grand Prix, Catalunya June 16-18: Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal June 30-July 2: Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg July 7-9: British Grand Prix, Silverstone July 21-23: Hungarian Grand Prix, Hungaroring July 28-30: Belgian Grand Prix, Spa-Francorchamps August 25-27: Dutch Grand Prix, Zandvoort September 1-3: Italian Grand Prix, Monza September 15-17: Singapore Grand Prix, Marina Bay September 22-24: Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka October 6-8: Qatar Grand Prix, Losail October 20-22: United States Grand Prix, Austin October 27-29: Mexican Grand Prix, Mexico City November 3-5: Brazilian Grand Prix, Sao Paulo November 17-19: Las Vegas Grand Prix November 24-26: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina