The only threat to Verstappen's hopes of equalling the nine-race winning streak of Sebastian Vettel for Red Bull back in 2013 is the weather, that too in his own nation.
Despite setting the fastest time during Friday's qualifying session, Verstappen started sixth on the grid due to a five-place penalty for exceeding component usage.
With the victory the reigning double world champion clinched his seventh straight victory and the Red Bull their 12th in a row – beating McLaren’s long-standing record.
Verstappen said, "Most important for me was lap one to stay in front. After that we could do our own race. Our stints were perfect and I enjoyed it a lot."
A rain shower hit the track to turn the encounter on its head, causing a flurry of off-track excursions, brushes with the barriers and pit lane activity.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen started the 2023 Formula 1 season as he had finished 2022, scoring an ominously easy win in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
Verstappen, who has already clinched the world title, finished ahead of former world champion and fiercest rival Hamilton and Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez.
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