Against all odds Sebastian
Vettel fended off Valtteri Bottas to win the Bahrain Grand Prix and extended his
lead over the reigning world champion.
Hamilton, who started 9th
after taking a penalty, took the final podium spot from Kimi Raikkonen who stopped
after a collision with one of his own mechanics during the pitstop.
The mechanic, Francesco Cigarini
was immediately rushed to the medical centre and is currently recovering from a
shinbone and fibula fracture.
Pole sitter, Sebastian
Vettel had an advantage going into the race on Sunday. However, in the first
round of pitstops the second placed Bottas and teammate Hamilton switched to
the medium compound tyres – in theory a slower but more durable tyre and both
the Ferrari’s put on the softs.
Both the Mercedes were undoubtedly going to the
end of the race, the question was whether Ferrari could make their tyres last.
With Raikkonen out of this
mixture, Hamilton had his eyes set on Bottas and Bottas on Vettel. Bottas
inched his way to Vettel and by the last lap was filling up Vettel's mirrors.
The Ferrari driver managed to make his tyres for a whopping 36 laps – 6 laps
more than Pirelli expected them to last.
RedBull’s season is not
to a good start with both the cars retiring. RedBull who insist that they have
a car that is capable of competing with Mercedes and Ferrari seem to lack reliability.
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