Bahrain GP: Race - Re-Cap & Results

BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX - RACE

   Before the start of the race, things went downhill for Vettel during the installation lap when he experienced a complete engine failure. Smoke plumed from the back of his Ferrari and he was forced to pull over at a run-off area. His race was over before it could even begin. Vettel wasn't the only one to experience pre-race mechanical issues. Jolyon Palmer was also unable to start the race due to a hydraulics issue.

    When the lights went out, it was a slow start from Lewis Hamilton, leaving room for both Massa and Bottas to quickly move up front with Rosberg and the remaining Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen. However, Bottas went for a gap that was a bit too small and he collided with Hamilton, sending him spinning on track. Both drivers had damage to their cars but were able to continue. Bottas was given a Drive-Through-Penalty for causing the collision.

    Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz also collided early on in the race, forcing Perez to pit for a new front wing/nose set-up. His team-mate, Hulkenberg, also suffered from car damage due to first-lap mishaps. The two held on and managed to finish the race, although it was outside of the top 10. 

    Jenson Button was the first retirement of the race and only 8 laps in. It was a Power Unit failure that caused him the loss of possible points. Stoffel Vandoorne, who was filling in for an injured Alonso, managed to score McLaren's first point of the season by bringing home the car in 10th.

    Haas also had their ups and downs of the race with Gutierrez retiring 10 laps in due to a brake disc issue. He also retired in Australia after his accident with Alonso. Grosjean once again scored a good amount of points for the team by finishing in 5th. No doubt Haas will continue to bring points home and hopefully it will be both drivers finishing the race at the Chinese GP.

    Carlos Sainz was the final retirement of the race and it was accident damage that caused it. Despite his efforts to keep racing, the car was just not in good enough shape to make it to the end.

    Up at the front, Nico Rosberg took home his second win of the season and Kimi Raikkonen finished just behind him in 2nd. After a tough race and having to play catch-up, Lewis Hamilton finished in 3rd, managing to stay ahead of Ricciardo in the final laps to grab that last spot on the podium. 

RACE RESULTS:

1. Nico Rosberg / Mercedes-Mercedes / Germany / + 25 Points

2. Kimi Raikkonen / Ferrari-Ferrari / Finland / + 18 Points

3. Lewis Hamilton / Mercedes-Mercedes / Great Britain / + 15 Points

4. Daniel Ricciardo / Red Bull-TAG-HEUER / Australia / + 12 Points

5. Romain Grosjean / Haas-Ferrari / France / + 10 Points

6. Max Verstappen / Toro Rosso-Ferrari / Netherlands / + 8 Points

7. Daniil Kvyat / Red Bull-TAG-HEUER / Russia / + 6 Points

8. Felipe Massa / Williams-Mercedes / Brazil / + 4 Points

9. Valtteri Bottas / Williams-Mercedes / Finland / + 2 Points

10. Stoffel Vandoorne / McLaren-Honda / Belgium / + 1 Point

11. Kevin Magnussen / Renault-Renault / Denmark

12. Marcus Ericsson / Sauber-Ferrari / Sweden

13. Pascal Wehrlein / Manor-Mercedes / Germany

14. Felipe Nasr / Sauber-Ferrari / Brazil

15. Nico Hulkenberg / Force India-Mercedes / Germany

16. Sergio Perez / Force India-Mercedes / Mexico

17. Rio Haryanto / Manor-Mercedes / Indonesia

RETIRED - Carlos Sainz / Toro Rosso-Ferrari / Spain / Accident Damage

RETIRED - Esteban Gutierrez / Haas-Ferrari / Mexico / Brakes

RETIRED - Jenson Button / McLaren-Honda / Great Britain / Power Unit

DID NOT START - Jolyon Palmer / Renault-Renault / Great Britain / Hydraulics

DID NOT START - Sebastian Vettel / Ferrari-Ferrari / Germany / Engine Failure

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Article Written By: Amy Hawk

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