Daniel Ricciardo seventh in McLaren debut

Starting from sixth on the grid, Ricciardo battled in the mid-field for the entirety of the race.

While the seventh-place finish is a good result, the Australian was out-paced by his teammate Lando Norris.

Norris showcased the ability of this year's McLaren, guiding it to fourth.

Starting seventh on the grid, the British driver made a fast start and was into fifth position after the opening corners.

Once he passed the Ferrari of Leclerc he never looked like finishing outside of the top-four.

The results for McLaren continue their form from last season, where they finished third in the constructors' championship.

Defending F1 drivers champion Lewis Hamilton has got his title defence off to a winning start with victory in a scintillating opening race of the season.

The seven-time world champion held on in Bahrain against a flying Max Verstappen, who finished less than a second behind.

Verstappen was nine-seconds behind Hamilton after his final pitstop, and began hauling in his rival.

The Dutchman appeared to have taken the lead from Hamilton, but had to give up the lead immediately because he made the overtake while he was off the track.

This was enough for Hamilton to hold on for the closing three laps.

The British driver said the victory came in one of the toughest races he has had in recent memory.

"It's going to take everything and more for us to put in performances like this, but we love the challenge. I love the challenge," Hamilton said after the race.

"It was one of the hardest races I've had for a while."

Verstappen led for the opening 17 laps of the race but was caught out by Mercedes during the opening pitstop period.

Mercedes pitted Hamilton four laps earlier than the Red Bull, when he was behind by one-and-a-half seconds.

When Verstappen exited the pits on lap 18, he trailed his rival by more than six seconds, but was driving with a faster tyre compound.

Verstappen's second pitstop came 10 laps after Hamilton's, with Red Bull believing their driver could chase down the Mercedes.

"Definitely stopping early, we knew was going to be difficult, but we had to cover Max," Hamilton said.

After the race Verstappen said he was disappointed to lose the season-opener, but was looking for the silver-lining.

"It's of course a shame but you also have to see the positive," Verstappen said.

"We are really putting the fight onto [Mercedes], and I think that's great to start the year like that."

Mercedes' other driver, Valtteri Bottas, finished third.

Bottas had the fastest lap of the race, which is worth one world-championship point.

Story By | Michael Doyle