Bahrain Grand Prix review: Vettel wins in Bahrain; Lotus impress with podium places

Sebastian Vettel recorded his first win of the season with victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The two-time World Champion now tops the championship leaderboard by four points from McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton. However, just 10 points separate the top five.

This is the first time Vettel has led the table this year and his rise to the summit was down to a brilliant drive in Sakhir.

Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen finished an impressive second, whilst his teammate, Romain Grosjean – in his debut season – finished third.

Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg came fourth and fifth, whilst Scot Paul Di Resta matched his best-ever result with a sixth-placed finish.

However, it was a day to forget for McLaren, with Hamilton finishing in eighth, whilst Jenson Button was forced to retire on lap 55.

Though the McLarens, Ferraris and Mercedes were not performing at their best, it meant Team Lotus thrived on the opportunity to take the available podium places.

Raikkonen had an opportunity to take the lead when he tried to slip up the inside of the Vettel; however, the move didn’t come off and the German built up a lead after the final round of pit-stops.

The 2007 World Champion’s ploy of qualifying outside the top 10 to preserve some of his tyres worked, and he used the fresh, new tyres he had available to find himself challenging for the lead after shooting through the midfield.

Nonetheless, Vettel drove the perfect race and built up leads when he needed to bag the 25 points.

The Red Bull driver secured the hat trick of pole position, fastest lap, and race victory to polish off what was an impressive weekend for him.

Vettel last recorded victory in India last year, so the jubilation will be much welcomed after a five-race drought.

It means that four different drivers have won the four races so far this year. Next up for the drivers is the Spanish Grand Prix on the weekend of 11-13 May.

Derek Baker