Lewis Hamilton made it back to back victories after winning the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sakhir Circuit. It was a brilliant day for Mercedes as Nico Rosberg claimed second place whilst Sergio Perez enjoyed his best race result of the season to finish third.
My Opinion:
Mercedes - Hamilton (winner), Rosberg (2nd). Perfect result for Mercedes who took maximum points thanks to Hamilton and Rosberg's brilliant drives. However, Hamilton has carved out a slight edge over Rosberg after coming from second on the grid to pass Rosberg and hold on for the win. Impressive driving from both and I can't wait to see who comes out on top between the two over the course of the season - at the moment, advantage Hamilton.
Force India - Perez (3rd), Hulkenberg (5th). Force India enjoyed their best result of the season so far after a tremendous drives from both Perez and Hulkenberg. Perez, who has failed to finish inside the top ten all season, converted a great start into an amazing result after taking the final spot on the podium. Meanwhile, Mr. Consistent Nico Hulkenberg gained seven places from his starting position to finish 5th.
Mclaren - Button (DNF, 55 laps), Magnussen (DNF, 40 laps). Disastrous result for McLaren. After a strong start to the season, it all went pear shaped for the team today. Neither car finished the race as both cars retired deep into the race. Points were on the cards for both Button and Magnussen but in the end it was a race to forget for the guys at McLaren.
Red Bull - Ricciardo (4th), Vettel (6th). Average and probably a disappointing result for Red Bull who failed to get a car on the podium. Ricciardo had the best chance of finishing third or higher but just lost out to Perez whilst Vettel could only realistically hope to gain as many places as he could and drove well to finish 6th.
Ferrari - Alonso (9th), Raikkonen (10th). Ferrari's worst result of the season so far. That was not the finish that Ferrari had envisioned, especially after a decent day of qualifying. Both cars scored points but that just isn't the required standard for the team. Alonso managed to make up one place for 9th but Raikkonen suffered from a terrible start off the grid, losing four places, which proved costly.
Williams - Massa (7th), Bottas (8th). Decent day for Williams who are showing some consistent results. Massa equalled his best result of the season, finishing 7th whilst Bottas managed 8th. However, Bottas will be disappointed with that result after starting the race in 3rd. A poor getaway off the grid saw Bottas fall two places and he never recovered.
Toro Rosso - Kvyat (11th), Vergne (DNF, 18 laps). Disappointing day for Toro Rosso who failed to score a single point. Vergne has been the faster driver this year but only lasted 18 laps whilst Kvyat improved by two places to finish 11th but that means it is the first race this year that Toro Rosso have not taken away a point.
Lotus - Grosjean (12th), Maldonado (14th). Standard result for Lotus who are showing some signs of improvement. Points always looked beyond their reach this weekend but they will be buoyed by their move up the order from the start. Grosjean managed to improve by four positions whilst Maldonado climbed three spots.
Sauber - Gutierrez (DNF, 39 laps), Sutil (DNF, 17 laps). Disastrous race for Sauber as neither car crossed the finish line. It was a disappointing day of qualifying for the team and things only got worse as both cars retired from the race. Gutierrez managed 39 laps but Sutil only 17 as the team endured a tormenting weekend in Bahrain.
Marussia - Chilton (13th), Bianchi (16th). Marussia will be pleased that they were the faster team compared to Caterham in Bahrain. Chilton was the quickest driver from the teams at the back of the grid after equalling his best result of the season. Bianchi didn't endure such a brilliant race but managed to move up four places from 20th to 16th.
Caterham - Kobayashi (15th), Ericsson (DNF, 33 laps). Mixed day for Caterham. Kobayashi showed some consistency but lost out in the battle with Marussia to Chilton, meanwhile Ericsson was only out on track for 33 laps before retiring the car.
Key Moments During the Race:
Start: Hamilton (up 1), Rosberg (down 1), Massa (up 4), Perez, Bottas (down 2), Button, Hulkenberg (up 4), Alonso (up 1), Raikkonen (down 4), Magnussen (down 2).
Vergne suffers a rear tyre puncture.
Lap 1: Hamilton, Rosberg, Massa, Perez, Bottas, Button, Alonso passes Hulkenberg, Raikkonen, Vettel passes Magnussen.
Lap 5: Hulkenberg moves into 7th after passing Alonso.
Lap 10: Button moves into 5th after passing Bottas.
Lap 12: Perez moves into 3rd after passing Massa. Ricciardo moves into 10th after passing Magnussen.
Lap 17: Sutil OUT after contact with Bianchi.
Lap 18: Rosberg moves into the lead after passing Hamilton but Hamilton retakes the lead after passing Rosberg.
Lap 19: Rosberg moves into the lead after passing Hamilton but Hamilton retakes the lead after passing Rosberg.
Lap 20: Hamilton makes a pit stop and rejoins the race in second. Perez moves into 6th after passing Alonso.
Lap 21: Rosberg makes a pit stop and rejoins the race in second.
Lap 25: Vettel moves into 9th after passing Raikkonen.
Lap 26: Perez moves into 4th after passing Hulkenberg.
Lap 28: Perez moves into 3rd after passing Massa.
Lap 33: Ericsson OUT.
Lap 35: Ricciardo moves into 8th after passing Massa. Alonso moves into 8th after passing Perez.
Lap 36: Perez moves into 8th after passing Alonso. Vettel moves into 10th after passing Magnussen.
Lap 37: Vettel moves into 9th after passing Maldonado. Ricciardo moves into 12th after passing Raikkonen.
Lap 38: Ricciardo moves into 11th after passing Magnussen.
Lap 39: Gutierrez OUT after being flipped over by Maldonado.
Lap 40: Magnussen OUT, safety car deployed.
Lap 47: Safety car goes back to the pits. Vettel moves into 5tafter passing after passing Button. Ricciardo moves into 6th after passing Button.
Lap 48: Massa moves into 7th after passing Button. Bottas moves into 8th after passing Button.
Lap 50: Ricciardo moves into 5th after passing Vettel. Alonso moves into 9th after passing Button.
Lap 54: Ricciardo moves into 4th after passing Hulkenberg.
Lap 55: Massa moves into 6th after passing Vettel by Vettel soon takes back the place. Button OUT.
Lap 57/Finish: Hamilton wins the Bahrain Grand Prix. Rosberg finishes second whilst Perez comes third.
Race Result:
1. Hamilton (Mercedes) 1.39.42.743
2. Rosberg (Mercedes)
3. Perez (Force India)
4. Ricciardo (Red Bull)
5. Hulkenberg (Force India)
6. Vettel (Red Bull)
7. Massa (Williams)
8. Bottas (Williams)
9. Alonso (Ferrari)
10. Raikkonen (Ferrari)
11. Kvyat (Toro Rosso)
12. Grosjean (Lotus)
13. Chilton (Marussia)
14. Maldonado (Lotus)
15. Kobayashi (Caterham)
16. Bianchi (Marussia)
17. Button (Mclaren) Retired after 55 laps
18. Magnussen (Mclaren) Retired after 40 laps
19. Gutierrez (Sauber) Retired after 39 laps
20. Ericsson (Caterham) Retired after 33 laps
21. Vergne (Toro Rosso) Retired after 18 laps
22. Suitl (Sauber) Retired after 17 laps
Fastest Lap: Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 1.37.020
Driver of the Day: Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull)
Team of the Day: Mercedes
Driver Standings
1. Rosberg (Mercedes) 61pts
2. Hamilton (Mercedes) 50pts
3. Hulkenberg (Force India) 28pts
4. Alonso (Ferrari) 26pts
5. Button (Mclaren) 23pts
Constructor Standings
1. Mercedes 111pts
2. Force India 44pts
3. Mclaren 43pts
4. Red Bull 35pts
5. Ferrari 33pts
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