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15:04 The grid has formed and the lights come on. One, two, three, four, five.... GO! 15:03 Rosberg leads the field round on to the grid, while Ross Brawn looks nervous in the Mercedes garage... 15:02 Preetam asks: "Force India are starting in good position.Do you think they have the chance for podium finish?" Yup, I think we could see a Force India in the mix, especially if either di Resta or Sutil can pull of a two-stop race 15:00 We're away on the formation lap and the drivers on hard tyres are Massa, Grosjean, Hulkenberg, Bottas, Vergne and Gutierrez 14:58 Tony emails in: "I find it strange how not too many want Vettel to win races since winning 3 world championships. funny how things change" Seb looks strong today but the tyres Ian talks about are likely to be the crucial factor. If Ferrari is easier on its tyres I think Alonso will win. Odd how we're all assuming Rosberg won't be a factor but Mercedes really does seem to have tyre wear issues 14:57 Ian emails in to say: "All I seem to hear during the races is talk about the tyres. I think its time to give the drivers cars to race each other with, not let the pit wall team use strategy to save tyres then just stay in line and finish the race." 14:56 There's a strong headwind on the run down to turn one which will greet the drivers, changing the braking point slightly. We've had the four minute warning on the grid 14:54 Another driver out of position is Raikkonen in eighth place. He didn't seem to have the pace in qualifying but is quick in race trim and Lotus is likely to try to two-stop. Eric Boullier just told Sky it will be "as aggressive as possible" in terms of strategy and he's eyeing the podium. 14:52 Ever wondered how the drivers near the back see the lights? Here's your answer...
14:50 Bhaskaran emails in: "Year 2013 could be Ferrari's. The Legend in the making Alonso may win his third title." 14:47 Robert emails in to ask: "Hi guys, I know this maybe too early to speculate, but do you think this could be the start to another 7 different winners to the season like we saw in 2012? And who is your money on to win this race?" I don't think we'll see seven, Robert, as we don't seem to have anyone else other than the two Mercedes' and Webber capable of winning! I'd be surprised if there was a race Massa was allowed to win (for want of a better word), and the the most likely race winners each time have all won already. Don't forget we had a surprise winner in Maldonado last year and it took Hamilton a long time to win in a quick McLaren. Today? I tipped Raikkonen in the preview but I'm going for Alonso now. 14:46 The grid penalties that have been applied could see a couple of drivers out of position, especially Lewis Hamilton down in ninth. With Rosberg on pole, Hamilton could be looking to fight through the field towards the top three. Or if Mercedes' tyre troubles are as bad as they say, Rosberg could be dropping back towards his team-mate 14:44
14:43 Button is now on the grid and has put on his cooling vest, but Heikki Kovlainen makes an interesting point... 14:40
14:37 As always, we want to hear from you with predictions and comments during the race. We're not always able to use them all as we ensure you don't miss any action, but where we can we will answer your questions. Get in touch either using the link above or via Twitter @ESPNF1 14:33 And a hot grid it is going to be, with the air temperature up at 34C and track temperature 42C. Spare a thought for the mechanics in race suits working on the cars while the drivers stand under an umbrella... 14:30 Hello and welcome to ESPN's live coverage of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Half an hour until lights out at Sakhir and the cars are making their way to the grid |
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Lap 1 |
Alonso beats Vettel in to turn one but Vettel pulls a brilliant move in to turn five to retake second behind Rosberg. Sutil with an awful start and he's at the back of the field. Hamilton with a poor start to 11th place. Button up to eighth and attack Raikkonen for P7 |
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Lap 2 |
Rosberg defends from Vettel in to turn one. Vettel goes round the outside of turn four to take the lead but loses it on exit - great racing! Vettel so aggressive but can't make it stick and Alonso is prowling behind. Puncture for Vergne while Sutil and Gutierrez have pit |
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Lap 3 |
Rosberg having to defend again but Vettel pulls out the GP2 overtake by getting the undercut out of turn four and passing up the inside of turn five for the lead. DRS has been activated though... Perez passes Raikkonen for P8 using DRS before Turn 11 |
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Lap 4 |
Alonso cruises past Rosberg out of the final corner but Rosberg's DRS is better and he's back up the inside in to Turn 1. Button all over the back of Webber for sixth and we're still all running closely in a line. Massa has front wing damage according to Rob Smedley. |
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Lap 5 |
Vettel with the fastest lap and he's 1.5s clear of Rosberg. Alonso uses DRS and is through in to second place. Di Resta close behind Rosberg now. Vettel responds to Alonso's move with a quick lap - a second faster than Alonso. |
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Lap 6 |
Di Resta uses DRS and is up to third place with a move around the outside of Turn 1 on Rosberg. Alonso isn't getting away and di Resta is right behind him. I THINK I just saw Alonso using DRS. It looks like it's stuck open! |
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Lap 7 |
Alonso's DRS is definitely stuck open and that's why di Resta is right behind him. Massa is attacking Rosberg for P4. Alonso's DRS is broken. He's been told to pit. |
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Lap 8 |
Alonso pits and it looks like Ferrari got that rear wing fixed. Vettel leads di Resta by five seconds but the Force India is now in clear air. Alonso uses DRS to pass Chilton but it sticks open AGAIN! Disaster for Ferrari. Webber and Grosjean pit at the end of the lap. Alonso back in again too, his race is ruined here. |
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Lap 9 |
Di Resta matches Vettel as Massa passes Rosberg down the inside of Turn 1 using DRS. Replays show Gutierrez ran in to a Caterham on the opening lap and Pic hit the rear of Vergne on lap two. Button and Rosberg in the pits |
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Lap 10 |
Not good for Rosberg, he's dropped behind Webber after that stop. Vettel leads by 5.8s and is looking comfortable at the front. He's told to pit by Red Bull, Perez is in too. Massa comes in to shed his hard tyres so that hasn't really worked for him. |
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Lap 11 |
Massa rejoins behind Button but just ahead of Perez. Grosjean beats Perez in to turn one as well. Di Resta leads from Raikkonen - how long can they go on these tyres? If di Resta is on a three-stop it'll put him in with a chance here. |
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Lap 12 |
Raikkonen takes a second out of di Resta's lead - 4.1s between them now Button using DRS and he passes Rosberg. The McLarens are looking much better in race trim right now. |
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Lap 13 |
Vettel is still flying and he sets the fastest lap. Vettel is just 8.9s off the lead in third place and he's 3.1s per lap quicker than di Resta. Raikkonen just 3.5s off the lead. Scrap down to Turn 1 and Rosberg passes Button again. Button holds off Massa though, who then holds off Grosjean, who then holds off Perez! Good, hard, clean racing |
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Lap 14 |
Di Resta is consistent but Raikkonen takes another half a second out of his lead. Vettel with another fastest lap and he's 2.5s behind Kimi. Raikkonen and Grosjean scrapping but Grosjean holds the position. Di Resta told to pit. |
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Lap 15 |
Di Resta pits from the lead and that leads Raikkonen out front for all of 200m as Vettel sweeps past him in to Turn 1. Vettel looking in good shape. Webber is up to third and di Resta has rejoined ahead of Hamilton in 9th place. Vergne is last of the runners; he Sutil and van der Garde are well adrift of the rest. |
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Lap 16 |
Vettel leads by 2.2s and he's told his pace is good but that "as always, target is critical". Raikkonen has Webber catching him at two seconds per lap; five seconds the gap between second and third. Hamilton radios in from tenth to say "Struggling for grip" - he's on mediums while everyone else put on hards. Perez has locked his front right twice in to Turn 8. Raikkonen pits. |
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Lap 17 |
Raikkonen rejoins in 11th behind Hulkenberg. Vergne is told he has too high brake temperatures due to his damage and he has to retire. Problem for Massa! He's going very slowly with a right rear puncture. He pits and it looks like a right rear tyre delamination. Could be due to debris though as we've had a few clashes. |
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Lap 18 |
Vettel leads Webber by 9.1s and is pulling away comfortably. Rosberg up to third and has Button close behind him. Button radios in to say "Can we make sure that Nico stops moving under braking?" A very calm message... Grosjean is right behind Button as well and Perez is still in touch. |
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Lap 19 |
Vettel continues to extend his advantage. Webber is 5.5s ahead of Rosberg and a touch slower than the Mercedes behind him. Hamilton is told his pace is good but replies with "It doesn't feel that way" |
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Lap 20 |
Rosberg catching Webber but Button pulls a great move on the outside of Turn 1 and inside of Turn 2 for third place. Grosjean then passes Rosberg in to Turn 4 and he's up to fourth. Perez attacking Rosberg now while di Resta has joined the party. Rosberg and Perez come in to the pits for a straight race between pit crews and they rejoin in the same order. That worked out very well for di Resta. |
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Lap 21 |
Grosjean attacks Button and passes in to Turn 4 but then Button retakes the place in Turn 5. Button is told to pit at the end of this lap and push hard. They're 4.6s behind Webber. Hamilton radios in "The rears are going off ... the tyres are so poor" |
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Lap 22 |
Webber also pit at the same time as Button. Button rejoins behind his team-mate Perez who is attacking Rosberg in to turn one and Perez gets through at Turn 5. Vettel is clear out front and looks like he's on a leisurely Sunday drive. Grosjean up to second now. |
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Lap 23 |
Hamilton pits while Webber passes Alonso for P8. Alonso is not in the race here though. Rosberg repasses Perez in to Turn 4 and Button is close behind looking to pick up the pieces. Di Resta has risen back to third place behind Grosjean and he's a bit quicker right now |
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Lap 24 |
Perez passes Rosberg using DRS and Button tries to go between the pair. Perez defends the inside and Button makes it by Rosberg but not his team-mate. Good racing, Perez looking the part today but Button driving very well too. Grosjean is told to look after his tyres and that he's "in good shape" |
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Lap 25 |
Vettel continues to pull away - he now leads Grosjean by 22.2s - while Alonso pits and drops out of the top ten again. Di Resta is 1.2s behind Grosjean while Raikkonen is five seconds further back and catching at 0.5s per lap. Webber also quick and catching Raikkonen as Vettel pits for a second time.He's on to another set of hard tyres. |
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Lap 26 |
Vettel rejoined ahead of Grosjean so retains the lead. Perez and Button pass Hulkenberg and are up to sixth and seventh respectively. After his puncture, Massa is 10th and has been told to drive flat out |
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Lap 27 |
Vettel leads by five seconds as di Resta passes Grosjean for second using DRS. Looked quite easy there. He needs to look after his tyres though. Button uses DRS to pass Perez as well so he's now sixth. Raikkonen is 4.2s behind his team-mate for third and Grosjean is coming in for his second stop. |
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Lap 28 |
That stop rules Grosjean out of a two-stop race. He's on to the mediums and is back in ninth now. Hamilton passes Bottas for 10th in to Turn 11. Button is catching Webber ahead of him now too. Riku emails in: "Vettel is dominating, but Rosberg.., Clearly the star of the race. Beautiful fights for every single position with a clearly inferior car. Reminds me of Schumacher. A real pleasure to watch." |
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Lap 29 |
Vettel's lead is 9.1s from di Resta, while Raikkonen is 3.5s further back. Webber is 5.6s behind Raikkonen and has Button edging towards him but has a 3.6s cushion. Perez is not dropping off the back of his team-mate, which is good to see for McLaren. Massa pits from ninth for a third time. |
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Lap 30 |
Perez attacks Button and Button defends well. Perez nudges Button on the exit of Turn 4 but it doesn't look to have punctured Button's tyre. The radio message in is "He's just nudged me ... calm him down" Rosberg is right behind the McLaren fight and has a great view of it all. They're no longer catching Webber as they scrap. |
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Lap 31 |
Vettel leads by 14.4s and di Resta has Raikkonen right behind him. So close to disaster for McLaren! Perez attacks towards Turn 4 and then moves across on his team-mate and there may have been contact. Button eventually forces Perez off track on the exit. Grosjean passes Rosberg for 7th and is attacking Perez now. |
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Lap 32 |
Grosjean gets the move down around the outside of Turn 4. Button may relax a touch more now having another car between him and Perez. Raikkonen is 1.1s behind di Resta. |
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Lap 33 |
Perez radios in to say "I am losing a lot of time with Jenson", but now he has Grosjean ahead. Vettel leads by 18s and only a technical issue will stop him winning this race. |
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Lap 34 |
Raikkonen uses DRS and passes di Resta. Button says he wants to pit "as soon as possible" and he's just lost out to Grosjean for fifth place. Perez right on the back of his team-mate again... |
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Lap 35 |
Vettel is told his lap times need to be a bit slower. Raikkonen pits before di Resta and Button is in too. Rosberg has pit and it's Hamilton with the view of the McLaren battle. Webber is told of the pit stops and he'll need to pump in some good laps to jump di Resta and Raikkonen |
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Lap 36 |
Vettel's lead is now over 20 seconds. Hamilton passes Perez for fifth using DRS in to Turn 1 and Perez responds by radioing in to say he has a lack of power. Button has rejoined behind Rosberg and will have to pass him on track. They have Massa ahead while di Resta pits from second place. |
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Lap 37 |
Vettel leads from Webber and Grosjean, while di Resta rejoins well behind Raikkonen. Massa pits again with ANOTHER right rear puncture and he's on to the medium tyres. The replay shows Massa putting the power down out of the final corner and the tyre letting go. Could have been a slow puncture. |
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Lap 38 |
Raikkonen with the fastest lap but he's just been held up by Perez. He's now through in to fifth and has Hamilton ahead of him. Rosberg sets the fastest lap. Webber pits and rejoins alongside Rosberg. There's contact between the two and they continue but allows Button through and on to the back of the Red Bull. |
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Lap 39 |
Vettel is yet to make his final stop but he's well out on his own. Hamilton makes his third pit stop, while Webber's stop has left him 6s behind di Resta. Perez pits from fourth and Alonso is in from sixth too - Alonso is right behind Perez and doing a great job of damage limitation. |
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Lap 40 |
Incident between Webber and Rosberg is under investigation for causing a collision.With the final stops made there are some good battles potentially developing for fifth. Grosjean seems to be doing a good job of making his tyres last as he runs second and he could end up in that fight for fifth too. |
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Lap 41 |
Vettel continues again, he's almost half a minute clear but he's started losing time to Raikkonen in third. Kimi doesn't have to stop again. Perez sets the fastest lap in ninth but that's beaten by Alonso in tenth. Alonso is quick but can't overtake due to his DRS problem. |
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Lap 42 |
Vettel should pit soon; he's starting to drop back towards those behind him and he's in now for his final stop. It was 3.6s and he's got the length of the pit straight as an advantage as Grosjean pits too. |
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Lap 43 |
OK, now that's all shaken out it's Vettel leading from Raikkonen and di Resta. No more stops needed; Raikkonen is 7.7s clear of di Resta and faster, while di Resta is pulling away from Webber in fourth. Grosjean rejoins fifth after holding of Button in Turn 1 |
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Lap 44 |
Webber and Rosberg will be investigated after the race for their clash. Now it's all starting to happen! Grosjean passes Webber for fourth in to Turn 1, while behind him Rosberg passes Button for P6. Alonso is attacking Perez too, and they're all covered by seven seconds from fourth to tenth. Hamilton is attacking Button as Rosberg has to pit for a fouth time. |
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Lap 45 |
Hamilton passes Button for sixth in to Turn 1 using DRS. Rosberg rejoins in tenth and will have to push hard to chase those in front. Vettel leads by 8.3s from Raikkonen and the two are matching pace. Di Resta is 6.5s ahead of Grosjean but the Lotus took 1.2s out of him on the last lap. The McLarens are running line astern again. Alonso is right behind them and looking to take advantage. |
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Lap 46 |
Perez has a look in to Turn 1 but locks up. Perez then passes up the inside of Turn 4 and Button loses another place at Turn 8 as Alonso dives up the inside! He's doing a great job after his troubles. Vettel extends his lead to 9.5s and Button has to pit for a fourth time as well. |
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Lap 47 |
Alonso on the move, he passes Perez for seventh in to Turn 1 - neither had the benefit of DRS. Perez tries to fight back at Turn 4 but Alonso defends well. Hamilton is the next man up the road for Alonso, just 1.4s ahead. Grosjean catching di Resta quickly, the gap now 4.5s and di Resta complains he isn't getting the benefit of blue flags. Webber can't make any impression on those ahead though. |
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Lap 48 |
Vettel's lead is 9.6s, while Grosjean takes another second out of di Resta. Button rejoined in 10th place behind Rosberg and they will both be looking to close Perez in 8th down. Hamilton seems to be doing a better job with his tyres and is keeping Webber honest for fifth - 1.4s between them. |
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Lap 49 |
The race for third is hotting up - di Resta after his first podium remember - and it's 3.1s between him and Grosjean. Maldonado passes Massa for 11th so if anyone ahead needs to pit he could be on for a point. Hamilton has come alive in the second half of this race and is within a second of Webber. If he can clear him quickly then Grosjean isn't all that far up the road either. |
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Lap 50 |
Vettel easing his car to the finish with a lead of 9.3s. Grosjean slashes the gap to di Resta to 2.2s as Hamilton continues to be held up by Webber. Alonso is 1.8s behind that battle. A quick look further back shows Pic doing a good job in 17th ahead of Gutierrez and both Marussias. |
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Lap 51 |
Grosjean now 1.2s behind di Resta. Hamilton gets close behind Webber at Turn 1 as Webber parks it on the apex but Hamilton gets the move done on the inside in to Turn 4. Up to fifth for Hamilton and ahead of his pole-sitting team-mate. Di Resta looks like a bit of a sitting duck at the moment... |
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Lap 52 |
Vettel leads by 8.9s. Grosjean uses DRS and passes di Resta in to Turn 1 - it looks like his first podium will have to wait. Grosjean up to third place and we're on for the same podium as 2012... Hamilton, Webber, Alonso and Perez covered by 2.5s for fifth place |
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Lap 53 |
Hamilton gets the final corner wrong and Webber uses DRS to pass again for fifth. Hamilton needs to do it all again now. Grosjean 1.2s clear of di Resta who is slower than those behind but has a cushion of 8.6s. Perez has a look up the inside of Alonso at the final corner but thinks better of it. Van der Garde will be investigated after the race for an unsafe release. |
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Lap 54 |
I told you how the battle for fifth was covered by 2.5s, it's now less than two seconds. Perez and Alonso side by side through Turn 5 and Perez muscles through! Really good move as Alonso tried to hang around the outside of Turn 4 but Perez wasn't yielding. He's up to 7th. |
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Lap 55 |
Hamilton having another go at Webber and it's more good close racing down to Turn 4. Hamilton looks to have it done but Webber holds on through Turn 5. Really good stuff - we've seen some quality driving today. Vettel sets the fastest lap despite warnings not to from Rocky. |
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Lap 56 |
Vettel starts his penultimate lap with a 11.3s lead. Di Resta is three seconds behind Grosjean but the fight behind is still brilliant. Webber still robustly holding off Hamilton and Perez is now having a look at the back of the Mercedes. All the other points places are well spread out |
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Lap 57 |
Webber is told he is on to the final lap and to concentrate on his exit out of the final corner... but it hasn't worked! Hamilton uses DRS and is through in to fifth at Turn 1 at the start of the final lap. Vettel is cruising towards the flag and has the fastest lap for good measure. He's been in a class of his own today.
Hamilton crosses the line fifth and Perez passes Webber for sixth! Such a slow final lap for Webber and Alonso almost got him too but ends up eighth ahead of Rosberg in ninth and Button in tenth. Perez got Webber up the inside in to Turn 6 - he's answered the call from McLaren to get his elbows out today and really outshone Button in the end. Grosjean's third place is excellently timed as it comes as he was given a new chassis to try and solve some problems. Ultimately, eighth place is a good recovery for Alonso after his problems, but with Massa in 15th is a really disappointing day for Ferrari. |
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Vettel returns to parc ferme, stands on his car and enjoys the adulation of the crowd. Grosjean's hugging his team members too after his third place. Kimi looks happy enough with second and congratulates his team-mate as the drivers put on their caps and take on water. Out the drivers come on to the podium. As good as Vettel's drive was, he had no stern challenge. Rosberg disappeared very quickly as expected, both Ferraris had problems and it did make life slightly easier for him that his nearest on track challenger proved to be di Resta for most of the race. Vettel raises the winner's trophy above his head and salutes the Red Bull team below. The team learns fast and never looked under pressure with its tyres today. David Coulthard comes out to speak to the drivers. Vettel: "Flawless, seamless race from start to finish. The pace was phenomenal, the car was very quick and it just seemed to get better and better. Really a beautiful race." Raikkonen: "Yesterday wasn't ideal ... today a two stop worked well. We gained a lot of places." Grosjean: "The first three races have been consistent but not where we wanted. The race was harder and we had to have some fights but that's why we're here racing" With that it's time for us to sign off. Thank you so much for joining us and for all of your questions and comments during what was a hugely exciting race. Stick on ESPNF1.com for all the reaction and we'll be back with live commentary for the Spanish Grand Prix. |
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Vettel crosses the line and wins the Bahrain Grand Prix! Raikkonen is second and a very impressive third for Grosjean, while di Resta is 2.2s back in fourth.
