The 2021 Formula 1 season got off to a blockbuster start with the opening round in Bahrain. It delivered to the pre-season hype - a Red Bull-Verstappen vs. Mercedes-Hamilton battle. Yes, Hamilton won - but had to fight for it every inch of the way. From what we saw, we expect this to be the rivalry that will headline through the season.

However, the post-race focus shifted from the battle of the two generations to the FIA's inconsistent policing of track limits at Turn 4 - the very spot where Verstappen overtook Hamilton only to be forced to relinquish it later. We explain this controversy, of course.

The 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix also delivered at least one positive story for every Formula 1 team. Now that's rare for an opening race - but that's exactly what Soumil and Kunal discuss in this week's Pits to Podium segment of the Inside Line F1 Podcast.

Fernando Alonso's Alonso-esque performance, Sebastian Vettel's continued embarrassment, Charles Leclerc's superlative drives, Nikita Mazespin, Lando Norris' lonely race to P4 and the crucial overtake of Daniel Ricciardo on the opening lap, Sergio Perez converting his bad luck and qualifying misery into sublime race form, Yuki Tsunoda's points on debut and more. Tune in!

(Season 2021, Episode 19)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Music courtesy: Lucien Byfieldt

Image courtesy: Mercedes

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