Hamilton holds off Verstappen to win tense F1 season-opener

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands leads at the start of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, March 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car followed by Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands during the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, March 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

Winner, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain, right, celebrates with Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, second place, on the podium after the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, March 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain takes a knee in support of Black Lives Matter movement at the starting grid prior to the start of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, March 28, 2021. (Andrej Isakovic, Pool via AP)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain, center, and other drives attend at the starting grid prior to the start of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, March 28, 2021. (Andrej Isakovic, Pool via AP)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain speaks on his mobile phone at the starting grid prior to the start of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, March 28, 2021. (Andrej Isakovic, Pool via AP)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands followed by Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, March 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, March 28, 2021. (Lars Baron, Pool via AP)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates on the podium after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, March 28, 2021. (Lars Baron, Pool via AP)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car followed by Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain during the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, March 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates on the podium after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, March 28, 2021. (Lars Baron, Pool via AP)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain, winner, right, celebrates with Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands on the podium after the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, March 28, 2021. (Lars Baron, Pool via AP)