The VAR system in Formula 1 tarnishes Bahrain Grand Prix

Turn 4 in Bahrain has opened the box of thunder of the new Formula 1 season. When the Spaniards were once again hooked to the roar of the engines to follow the return of Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz at Ferrari, the VAR system and the complaints began.

As the sun went down and the powerful floodlights illuminated the circuit, the 56 laps took a long time. The new rules and the budget adjustment were intended to equalise the races and make everything more closely contested. The Formula 1 circus had tamed the wild beasts and needed an incentive. Complete change will come next season and so Alonso was persuaded to compete again. 

Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes were overtaken by Max Verstappen and his Red Bull. A position he had to give back-and then controversy ensued. A review of the audios between the driver and his team uncovered the story: Max put all four wheels off the track at Turn 4 and was asked by race direction to let Hamilton overtake him.

This corner has always been a key point in drivers' meetings because it allows overtaking or time-saving in a way that borders on the rules. In Bahrain there was still no established criteria and Red Bull was not shy about telling its drivers: "Both Lewis and Valtteri [Bottas] using the exit at turn four, so feel free to do the same until we're told not to". Somehow, on lap 54, there was a warning for Red Bull but not for Mercedes.  Verstappen gave up his position and Hamilton won again. 

Then came the attacks on the FIA, the stewards and, of course, Hamilton's alleged overprotection. Similar to the VAR in football. Whenever the video goes against perceptions of reality a problem arises and a culprit is to blame. All drivers used Turn 4 to their advantage, but Verstappen was penalised at the worst moment. 

Red Bull and the Dutch driver himself decided to make a responsible complaint so as not to poison the championship from the first race. “Why didn’t you just let me go?” Verstappen complained over the radio immediately after the chequered flag, telling the team he could have got five seconds clear of Hamilton to absorb the penalty and still win. “I’d rather lose a race than finish second like this.” Once the race was over and in front of the media he explained resignedly “I ran a bit wide out of turn four, so I had to give the position back. From then onwards, I just didn't have the tyres to attack."

In response, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner explained the team had been given no option by race control. “We had the instruction from race control unfortunately, Max,” said Horner over Verstappen’s radio channel. “But that was a hell of a drive you put on there.”

Elsewhere, Carlos Sainz was eighth in his brand new Ferrari and revealed that it had been a fun grand prix "because of the overtaking". Fernando Alonso had a rear brake problem and retired from the race. His Renault will not give him the chance to become champion for a third time, but it promises to be a spectacle. Like the reinvented Formula 1 that started with controversy and is already looking to its next destination: Imola (Italy) on 18 April.