16/04/2017
NEWS STORY
Well if this evening's race is even half as good as the F2 Sprint Race earlier we could be in for a thriller.
Brave tyre strategy combined with even braver driving saw Ferrari Academy Driver Charles Leclerc take a superb win, passing two cars on the final lap.
Whether the prominent Ferrari shields on the Frenchman's winning Prema car was a portent of what we might expect this evening remains to be seen, but at least the youngster's performance will have given Kimi Raikkonen something to think about.
Earlier in the weekend, having dominated the first two practice session, Sebastian Vettel looked to be hot favourite for the win here, but then Mercedes appeared to dig deep down the back of the sofa and pull out a whopping half-a-second advantage.
Of course, it remains to be seen whether Ferrari was holding something back in qualifying, but then again why would it?
On the other hand, looking back to Friday, Raikkonen was very, very impressive on his long run pace. So you never know.
Having missed out to Vettel by 0.001s in China, and been piped at the post a couple of times here, Valtteri Bottas finally nailed it all together in his final run in Q3 to take a well-deserve pole, the first of his entire F1 career.
Among the first to pay tribute to the Finn was Hamilton, and at a time Vettel and the Briton incessantly tell of their mutual respect, one cannot help feel that as the stakes are raised the so the relationship will become more fractious, just as it will between the Mercedes duo. All are fighting for a common prize and there can only be one winner.
The big surprise of qualifying was Daniel Ricciardo who split the Ferraris with a storming final effort.
As is so often the case, the old adage about swallows and summer was thrown out the window with some suggesting that Red Bull was now ready to join in the fun.
Fact is however, the true pace of the Red Bull is still around half-a-second off the Ferrari which is just shy of the Mercedes. While Red Bull could well surprise today it will not be competitive on a regular basis for a few more races.
The midfield is once again threatening to provide the true drama today, especially with Renault getting both of its drivers into Q3.
Despite his numerous issues Romain Grosjean was able to get his car sorted enough that he could qualify ninth, thereby ensuring that at least one Haas will be mixing it with the other midfield combatants.
Force India will have its work cut out, especially Sergio Perez who qualified a lowly 18th, while Carlos Sainz is also surprisingly out of place who suffered a power unit failure.
On the other hand, what a remarkable return for Pascal Wehrlein, who put his Sauber 13th on the grid. A remarkable performance from the youngster and one which will give his critics cause to think again.
And then there's McLaren.
We're not sure what other events are on this evening that might tempt Fernando and Stoffel away from Bahrain, but if nothing else they could open a beer and watch The Great Escape on the telly.
Having suffered three MGU-H failures that have in turn destroyed their power units, Honda admits to being baffled as to why this is happening, needless to say the Japanese manufacturer admit the problem could be repeated today.
But never mind... let's not worry about the fact that the legendary team founded by Bruce McLaren and then moulded into one of sport's true greats by Ron Dennis is falling apart at the seams... Fernando is driving a McLaren-branded Dallara Honda at Indianapolis... so all is well. Woo-hoo!
Though the weather god are not likely to interfere in terms of rain, the wind that caused problems yesterday has picked up today, which, if nothing else, will cause handling problems.
Then there's the start. Last year Bottas and Hamilton collided at the start in T1, this year, being that they are in the same team, a repeat is unthinkable. That said, speaking at the press conference yesterday, Vettel actively encouraged them to repeat the move.
If nothing else, with the Finn starting from pole, today will give us the first inkling as to whether he is prepared to stand his ground in terms of his teammate. Fact is, the honeymoon is over, now is the time to establish some ground rules.
As ever, tyres and degradation, both with the soft and supersoft, are going to be a key factor, meaning that while we are expecting most to opt for a one-stop strategy we could in fact see driers switch to two-stops.
Ten minutes before the pitlane opens and Bottas is already sitting in his car, the Finn clearly eager to get on with it.
The pitlane opens and one by one the drivers head out, overnight both Sainz and countryman Alonso have had new power units fitted.
It's like the good old days, Bernie Ecclestone is on the grid, the 'former' supremo very much making his presence felt this weekend, his first appearance of the year.
Despite being in his car for so long, Bottas' Mercedes arrives on the grid on its trolley, the driver nowhere in sight.
Sadly, a repeat of the MGU-H issue ahead of the start means that Vandoorne will not be taking part in the race. But hey, Fernando's going to Indy!!!
As the field prepares to head off on the warm-up lap, the air temperature is 24 degrees C, and the track temperature is 30 degrees. As expected, there is a stiff breeze.
All are starting on the supersofts bar Ericsson who is on the softs.
They head off on the warm-up lap, Bottas leading the field away for the first time, a big moment for the Finn. Hamilton is warned of a headwind in T1.
They're away. Good start s from both Mercedes while further back Stroll is battling with Palmer. As they turn into T1 Vettel is ahead of Hamilton while Raikkonen is passed by Verstappen who made a great start.
Lots of locking up in the first couple of corners as Bottas leads Vettel with Hamilton under pressure from the two Red Bulls who are side-by-side. Palmer makes a bold move on Ocon but the Frenchman is having none of it.
Kvyat tries to go around the outside of Sainz but overdoes it and runs wide, losing a heap of positions in the process.
At the end of la p1, it's: Bottas, Vettel, Hamilton, Verstappen, Ricciardo, Massa, Raikkonen, Hulkenberg, Grosjean and Ocon. Perez is up to 13th and Wehrlein down to 17th. Alonso is 15th.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Bahrain, here.
After 3 laps the shot up the pit straight shows the leading eight cars covered by around 7 seconds.
Raikkonen is all over Massa, but getting past is another thing entirely.
Although the quickest driver, Bottas posting a 36.463, it looks as though Vettel can go a lot quicker if he can get by.
After 5 laps, Bottas leads Vettel by 0.381s with Hamilton a further 0.455s behind, Verstappen is 1.292s down on the second Mercedes.
"Getting a little bit of overheating now, but not significant," Bottas is told.
As Vettel harries Bottas, so now Verstappen has crawled up to the back of Hamilton with Ricciardo also in the thick of it.
Raikkonen passes Massa for 6th in T1 at the start of lap 8, a nice clean move from the Finn. That said, he needed it following his poor start.
Verstappen is eyeing up Hamilton, the Red Bull driver clearly getting impatient.
Stroll pits at the end of lap 8, the Williams driver switching to softs.
"We are quicker than them but I can't get by," says Verstappen.
Magnussen has pulled off to the side of the track, his race over.
"I'm starting to lose the rears," warns Bottas who is told that the pressures are high.
Vettel pits at the end of lap 10, the German sticking (no pun intended) with the supers. He rejoins in 12th behind Perez.
"I think we need to do something as well like Ferrari," says Verstappen.
Meanwhile, on fresh softs, Stroll posts a new fastest lap (36.303).
Next time around Verstappen pits as Vettel goes quickest in S2. Ocon also pits. The Red Bull driver rejoins in 11th behind Perez who has been passed by Vettel.
It's all over for Verstappen. The Dutch teenage has gone off and hit the wall after what appears to be a brake failure. The Red Bull driver is clearly furious.
Raikkonen, Grosjean and Sainz pit at the end of lap 12, as Vettel posts a 34.597, around 3s quicker than the race leader.
Stroll has stopped on track, the Williams having been hit by the Toro Rosso of Sainz. Indeed, replay shows the youngster being T-boned by the Toro Rosso. Naturally, both drivers blame one another though the Spaniard appears to be the culprit.
Out comes the Safety Car.
Bottas, Hamilton, Ricciardo, Massa, Hulkenberg and a heap of others take advantage of the Safety Car to pit.
Behind the Safety Car, after 13 laps, it's: Vettel, Bottas, Ricciardo, Hamilton, Massa, Raikkonen, Hulkenberg, Ericsson, Perez and Grosjean.
Hamilton is under investigation for appearing to hold up Ricciardo as they headed into the pitlane.
Behind the leading ten, it's: Ocon, Alonso, Palmer, Kvyat and Wehrlein.
The stewards are also investigating the Stroll/Sainz incident.
Ricciardo is asked if he believes Hamilton deliberately held him up. "Confirm," comes the reply.
he top two - Vettel and Bottas - on supersofts are going to absolutely have to get on it once safety car comes in.
At the end of lap 16 the Safety Car pulls off. Hamilton makes a great move on Ricciardo while Vettel is also almost caught off guard.
More misery for Ricciardo as the Australian is passed by Massa with Raikkonen also breezing by a couple of laps later as the Red Bull cannot get enough grip into its tyres.
A brilliant move by Perez on Hulkenberg in the final corner for 7th as Ricciardo is told his tyres "will come good".
Alonso in a three-way fight for 11th with Ericsson and Palmer.
Grosjean complains that he is "slow", the team responds that it is checking his engine.
As for tyres, Vettel and Bottas are on supers while Hamilton and Massa are on softs. Supers for Raikkonen and softs for Ricciardo.
The Alonso scrap sees Ericsson and Kvyat join in, the five all nipping back and forth across the track like naughty kittens.
Hamilton is handed a 5s time penalty for driving unnecessarily slowly in the pit entry.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Bahrain, here.
The Sainz/Stroll incident will be investigated after the race.
Now 2s clear of Bottas, Vettel posts a new fastest lap (34.503). However, unlike Hamilton - we think - he will have to stop again.
"I can't catch him," says Hamilton, who needs to get by his teammate now that he has that penalty.
Vettel is told that Bottas and Hamilton are likely to swap places, meanwhile Hamilton, who is having difficulty catching his teammate anyway says "if I can't catch him (Vettel), I'll let him back past".
A great, great move by Raikkonen on Massa sees the Finn take 4th.
"300 metres behind me and they overtake me on the straight," complains Alonso, "I've never raced with less power in my life."
Kvyat and Palmer in a great fight for 11th.
As Bottas complains about his rears, and having moved aside for his teammate, Raikkonen is told that "Merc have swapped their cars" and that the car up ahead is the Mercedes of his countryman who is "not that quick".
Ricciardo passes Massa in T1 to take fifth, the Brazilian having been nailed at this precise spot earlier by Raikkonen.
Palmer and Kvyat bang wheels as they battle, and as the Toro Rosso heads up the road Alonso also passes the Renault.
Out front, Vettel is told to keep his head down.
At the end of lap 30 Bottas pits, rejoining in 7th on the softs behind Perez. The Finn immediately goes quickest in the final sectors.
As Grosjean pits, after 31 laps, Vettel leads Hamilton by 4.412s, 9.412 if you count the penalty.
On fresh rubber, Bottas makes short work of Perez.
At the end of lap 33 Vettel pits. Switching to the softs he rejoins in third behind his teammate. A little way behind, sparks fly from Bottas' Mercedes as he passes Massa on the main straight.
Grosjean makes Palmer's day just that little bit worse, passing the Briton to take 12th.
"You need to look after these tyres," Vettel is told as he closes in on and subsequently passes his Ferrari teammate.
Vettel posts a new fastest lap (34.004) as he sets about closing the 14.324s gap to the leader.
Bottas sweeps by Ricciardo to take fourth as Perez pits, along with Hulkenberg and Alonso.
Raikkonen complains about strategy -not for the first time. He subsequently pits, as do Massa, Ocon and Palmer.
Grosjean, on his fresh rubber, passes Kvyat for 8th.
Lapping a second a lap quicker than Hamilton, Vettel is now 11.3s down on the race leader, 7.3s when you count the penalty.
"It's important to close the gap to Vettel," Bottas is told. "Lewis has a five-second penalty but is still yet to stop." So that's official, Hamilton will be stopping and talking of stopping, Ricciardo pits at the end of lap 39, rejoining in 5th.
A big lock-up for Hamilton who subsequently pits - at the end of lap 41. He serves his penalty after which his crew get to work. He rejoins in third, 19.8s down on Vettel and 10.5s down on his Mercedes teammate.
Next time around it is Kvyat who pits.
After 42 laps, it's: Vettel, Bottas, Hamilton, Raikkonen, Ricciardo, Massa, Perez, Grosjean, Hulkenberg and Ocon. Wehrlein is an impressive eleventh, ahead of Alonso, Ericsson, Kvyat and Palmer.
Querying the soft tyre choice, Hamilton is told the decision is "all based on data, this is the better tyre".
Good choice or bad, Hamilton sets a blistering pace - no pun intended - posting a new fastest lap (32.962) as he closes to within 7.1s of Bottas.
Kvyat passes Ericsson for 13th, as Hamilton posts another fastest lap (32.887).
Vettel is told that "Hamilton is closing on Bottas with used option". The German leads the Finn by 11.215s.
On lap 47, Hamilton sweeps by his teammate, moments earlier his engineer told him: "You've got the pace to win this mate".
Check out our Sunday gallery from Bahrain, here.
12.5s down on the leader, Hamilton is told that the German is now encountering back markers. "It's all to play for mate, come on," he is told.
Vettel responds by turning up the wick, matching Hamilton for sector times.
The German loses time behind Palmer, he eventually gets by and sets off after Ericsson.
On the one lap alone, Vettel lost 1.8s due to traffic. That said, Hamilton has to pass the same backmarkers.
It's all going to happen at the end, just keep it up mate," Hamilton is told. The Briton kept appraised of the German's progress (or not) through the traffic.
After 51 laps (of 57) the gap is down to 8.5s.
Problems for Ericsson who slows and pulls to the side of the track. "My gearbox is broken," he reveals.
As the Swede climbs from his car double yellows are waved.
Vettel passes Kvyat and sets off after Alonso and Wehrlein.
Alonso allows the German through, with the Ferrari-powered Sauber of Wehrlein also yielding.
A lock-up for Alonso in T1 allows Kvyat through to take 12th.
"Engine, engine problem," says Alonso as Palmer sweeps by.
Now 6.18s down on the leader, Hamilton comes up behind the battling Wehrlein and Kvyat.
As Alonso retires, Raikkonen is closing in on Bottas.
The wind appears to have gone from Hamilton's sails, as the gap remains at 6.7s.
A great scrap between Wehrlein and Kvyat for 11th, the German standing his ground.
Vettel takes the flag and along with it the lead in the world championship.
"Yes guys, yes guy, that's what I'm talking about," Vettel tells his crew. "Woo-hoo!"
"P2, a tough day in the office, but a great drive," Hamilton is told. The Briton doesn't respond.
While Hamilton will cite the 5s penalty as having cost him, the fact is that the early safety car, much like last week, worked against Ferrari and Vettel.
Either way, we clearly do have a real title fight on our hands, with the see-saw moving in the Scuderia's favour this week.
Vettel wins, ahead of Hamilton, Bottas, Raikkonen, Ricciardo, Massa, Perez, Grosjean, Hulkenberg and Ocon.
Among the various media post-mortems that will take place over the coming days, it will be interesting to see how Bottas' subservience to his teammate is handled, and while Raikkonen did finish a strong fourth, once again he made things hard for himself at the start.
Once again, both Force Indias are in the points while the embarrassment that is McLaren-Honda continues.
In the ante-room, Vettel admits to his chief race engineer, who will represent the constructor on the podium, that when he saw the Safety Car, his first thought was 'oh no, not again', slapping his head to emphasise the point.
"Have you seen the trophy you get here," he says, "it's very, very nice."
Moments later he dances his way on to the podium, appearing to mimic The Bangles, Walk Like An Egyptian. No, us neither.
As the German national anthem is followed by the Italian, memories come flooding back, could Sebastian really emulate the feat of his great hero?
"A really great day, I just love what I do!" beams Vettel on the podium. "It was a great team effort today, I could feel that we were quick. We went for the undercut and it worked fantastically.
"The car was really amazing to drive," he continues, "it really worked well and it was just a pleasure that I could control the pace at the end.
"Happy Easter!" he shouts to the crowd.
"Big congratulations to Seb, and thanks to Valtteri for being a gentleman," says Hamilton. "The pit lane thing was my fault, so apologies to the team. I gave it everything I had."
"It was really tricky race for me," admits Bottas, "struggling for pace all through the race.
"We had an issue with tyre pressures," he adds, "and I was just so rear-limited. Overall the best weekend for me with the team, but there is much more to come."
"It's a long year, but I'm really enjoying this year," concludes Vettel. "Something inside me told me yesterday that we have the car and we can do well. It's great to see everything is coming together.
"I've been reasonably successful here the last couple of years. I love this trophy, it's one of the most beautiful!"
But not as beautiful as the Drivers' World Championship trophy, which looks to be going to one of these three (?) men this year.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Bahrain, here.