Explosive Racing in the Desert, Hamilton Wins in Bahrain

The desert is a dry desolate place where survival comes down to how well adapted to the conditions you are. Todays Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix highlighted what true professionals are capable of with some of the most advanced technology on the planet. Bahrain isn’t usually the most exciting race on the calendar, but when the sun when down it provided the canvas for an explosive race! Explosive Racing in the Desert, Hamilton Wins in Bahrain

With Nico Rosberg on pole position at lights out, you don’t need to ask Lewis Hamilton twice if he wanted to take the lead at the first opportunity. Both Mercedes drivers immediately fought with precision and a great degree of professionalism from start to finish. After an early battle Hamilton took the lead whilst Rosberg was never too far behind. Massa asserted himself as Williams number one with an exceptional start propelling his Martini liveried car past rivals into turn one. It was very much a case of the Renault engined cars struggling for pace again this weekend along with Ferrari who completely lacked momentum. As strategies started to unfold, Williams did not give a team order to Bottas who had overtaken Massa to give the place back despite the Brazilian being held up by the Finn. This allowed Hulkenburg’s Force India to sit on their diffusers with his team mate Perez waiting to pounce. Pitting, Bottas released Massa but it was all too late with both Force India drivers just waiting to make the kill. But before then, Perez did a beautiful little number on Hulkenberg and then Massa. Williams became a victim of their poor team orders decision from the previous race as they clearly didn’t want to issue an instruction that might have helped them in Bahrain. To add insult to injury an accident between Maldonado and Gutierrez, which involved the Mexican’s car rolling over, brought the safety car out. This completely destroyed the Williams strategy.

As the gaps closed up and the cars appeared paired by team, the train of two by two revealed that Red Bull had found some pace and Force India were looking good for a podium. At the very front the fuse was lit for a spectacular finish as Lewis Hamilton had to defend from his team mate who was on faster tyres. A titanic battle with no inference from team orders broke out with the cars trading places several times! The wheel to wheel action ended with Hamilton pulling out a slight lead over Rosberg. Ricciardo, after tangling with Vettel, proved himself a match for the German and finished 3rd overall to his team mates 6th. The two Williams finished a disappointing 7th and 8th, but even more disappointing was the lack of pace and capacity to finish from both McLarens. Nico and Lewis fought until the very end with Hamilton taking victory.

Formula One 2014 is boring? Oh do shut up!

1) Hamilton
2) Rosberg
3) Perez
4) Ricciardo
5) Hulkenberg
6) Vettel
7) Massa
8) Bottas
9) Alonso
10) Raikkonen

11) Kvyat
12) Grosjean
13) Chilton
14) Maldonado
15) Kobayashi
16) Bianchi
DNF: Button, Magnussen, Gutierrez, Ericsson, Vergne and Sutil.