Formula One's most controversial young driver made it through just 2 corners before crashing on his Grand Prix debut

• Nikita Mazepin's Formula One debut lasted just three corners.
• The Haas driver crashed seconds after the start of Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix.
• Mazepin is the sport's most controversial young driver.

Nikita Mazepin, Formula One's most controversial young driver, crashed on just the third corner of his debut race as the 2021 season opened in thrilling fashion at Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Haas driver, 22, veered off into the barriers just seconds after the start, however was not injured and was able to walk away from his wrecked car.

Mazepin had originally qualified last, however started Sunday's race in 18th place after Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel collected a grid penalty for failing to respect warning flags during qualifying on Saturday.

"My tyres were cold and I got on the curb and took too much throttle and spun. Totally my mistake," Mazepin said after the race. "Very sorry for the team, because they deserve to do much better than that, so yeah, very angry with myself."

He added: "Whenever you go into your first weekend, you obviously learn so much so there are definitely positives to take.

"I know it sounds a bit strange, but doing a whole weekend itself was a big learning experience. Lots to take from it, but also one of the worst days."

Mazepin's selection as one of Haas' new drivers for the 2021 season in December was extremely controversial.

The Russian's billionaire father Dmitry is a major investor in the Haas team via a sponsorship from his company Uralkali.

The younger Mazepin got a seat on the team despite the fact he only finished fifth in last season's Formula Two championship.

Just days after signing with the American team, Mazepin was then caught on video appearing to inappropriately grope a woman in his car.

Haas called the video "abhorrent" while Mazepin also apologized for what he called his "inappropriate behaviour."

After his disastrous debut on Sunday, former F1 driver Mika Salo told Finnish broadcaster C More that Mazepin does "not belong" in the sport.

Hamilton wins stunning season opener

Fresh off the back of winning a record equaling seventh Formula One driver's championship last season, Lewis Hamilton kicked off the new campaign in equally ruthless form to cross the line in first place.

The Mercedes driver did not have it easy, however, and was caught in a head-to-head duel with Red Bull's Max Verstappen for much of the race.

Verstappen, who started the day in pole position, re-took the lead over Hamilton with just four laps to go.

However, the German was then ordered by race control to give the position back because he had overtaken Hamilton by running off the track.

It was a remarkable conclusion to a tense race and a glimpse of a what will likely be an exciting battle between the two heavyweights this season.

In recent seasons F1 has often resembled a procession, with Hamilton winning four consecutive drivers championships, and 53 of the past 100 races. As such, those involved in the sport were excited to see that greater competition may be present this year.

"We've now got that competition we've always craved," said Sky F1's Anthony Davidson. "This is something special for all of the fans.

"We have to really enjoy these moments, these Grands Prix that are coming our way, because when you get two protagonists like we had in Bahrain, and it only takes two, then we've got fantastic racing.

"I was shouting at the TV like everyone else was. Regardless of who your favourite driver is, I think we all have to agree that these are two supreme athletes at the top of their game and long may it continue."

Hamilton and Verstappen will next fight it out at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Italy on April 18.