08/04/2018
NEWS STORY
With the weather gods powerless to have any say in the matter, today's race is going to be about the drivers and their machines.
In terms of the drivers, though we'll be looking for plenty of enthusiasm we don't want to see any silliness. As for the cars, let's just hope that in addition to reliability all are able to pit and subsequently leave with all four wheels firmly attached.
Engine modes aside, Ferrari looked pretty strong yesterday, locking-out the front row and - dare we say it - wiping the smile from Mr Hamilton's face.
However, the Italian team has had its share of issues this weekend and will need to be on top of its game this afternoon. With Kimi Raikkonen looking strong in all sessions one wonders if he might ride shotgun for his teammate, who 'celebrates' his 200th Grand Prix this weekend, this afternoon or perhaps even demonstrate that there is life in the old dog yet.
Certainly, we will want no repeats of Singapore.
With Lewis Hamilton demoted, Valtteri Bottas has a great opportunity to shine today and put the silliness of Melbourne behind him. That said, as we saw in Australia, two against one doesn't work and not only is the Finn facing the might of Ferrari but also a young Australian keen to enjoy his first shoey of the season. On Friday we witnessed the long-run pace of the Red Bull, and everything points to Ricciardo giving a good account of himself today.
Other than that touch of over-enthusiasm - or power surge as it shall be known henceforth - Max Verstappen would have been right up there with the Ferraris, however his loss is our gain as we have the prospect of watching him fight his way through the field.
Indeed, Verstappen is one of several drivers out of position this afternoon, and consequently well worth watching. The others being Hamilton, Alonso and Grosjean.
In fact, behind the Ferraris, Ricciardo and Bottas is where the fun lies this afternoon, with Pierre Gasly leading a midfield battle that is positively mouth-watering.
Sadly, we don't expect to see Williams playing much of a part in it all, the Grove outfit never looking quite a low as it does at present.
Other than the progress made (or not) by Verstappen, Hamilton, Grosjean and Alonso, not to mention Gasly's chance to make an impression, the likes of Kevin Magnussen and Brendon Hartley have an opportunity to shine.
It's taken a while but in recent years Bahrain has provided some memorable races, and after the confines of Albert Park this afternoon should witness some decent passes.
According to Pirelli, the quickest strategy is a two-stopper: one stint on supersofts of 15 laps and two stints on softs of 21 laps each. Second-quickest is either a two-stopper (two stints on supersofts of 17 laps each plus one stint on softs to the flag) or a one-stopper: one stint on supersofts of 24 laps, plus softs to the flag. These would be very long stints though. A third-quickest strategy is also a one-stopper. One stint on softs for 32 laps plus one stint on mediums to the flag.
As we saw yesterday, Hamilton will be starting on the softs, which points to a one-stop strategy.
As the pitlane opens, the air temperature is 28 degrees C and the track temperature 34 degrees. While there was a headwind in T1 yesterday, today the wind is blowing across the pit straight.
Other than a "tiny bit of pulling" on his first out lap, Vettel says there are "no issues".
Interesting exchange between the Renault crew who want to ensure the wing is set for soft tyres.
The grid kids caps signed, the national anthem played, the drivers return to their cars.
All are starting on the supersofts bar Hamilton, Perez, Alonso, Verstappen, Ericsson, Sirotkin, Leclerc and Stroll.
Stroll reports that his drink system isn't working. With Williams as competitive as it currently is, maybe they should simply give him a Martini.
Vettel leads the field up to the grid, no problems encountered on the warm-up lap.
They're away, and while Vettel gets away cleanly in front Raikkonen loses out to Bottas heading into T1, almost losing out to Gasly also in the process. A strong start for Hamilton, who moves from side to side as he seeks to make progress. Coming out of T1 Hulkenberg and Magnussen are side by side, the Dane running wide after seeming to get a nudge from the Renault. As he rejoins Magnussen almost takes out Ocon as he moves across the front of the Force India. Further around the lap Grosjean appears to be force wide also. It's all happening.
In the midst of all that, Hartley has clouted Perez in T4, forcing the Mexican into a spin.
At the end of lap 1, it's: Vettel, Bottas, Raikkonen, Ricciardo, Gasly, Magnussen, Ocon, Hulkenberg, Alonso and Hamilton. Verstappen is up to eleventh.
Verstappen and Hamilton side by side heading into T1 at the end of lap 1, sparks from both cars filling the air, they touch, almost sending the Mercedes into a spin, while the Red Bull runs wide having picked up a left-rear puncture in the process. Moments later more disaster for Red Bull as Ricciardo stops on track.
The VSC is deployed as Ricciardo's car is removed, the Australian shaking his head in disbelief, while Verstappen slowly limps back to the pits his tyre flailing and no doubt doing damage to the car.
Perez and Hartley both feel they have damage following the mayhem at the start, but both are given the all-clear.
Verstappen rejoins the race almost a lap down, while Leclerc pits at the end of lap 3.
At the re-start Magnussen and Gasly have a moment, the Frenchman seemingly caught asleep. Hulkenberg also appears to catch Ocon napping.
As Hulkenberg and Ocon continue to fight, Alonso and Hamilton join in the fun, the Briton makes short work of the Spaniard nailing him on the pit straight, then in one stupendous move he dives down the inside passing the battling Force India and Renault moving up to sixth in the process.
Having made his pit stop Verstappen has now stopped on track, both Red Bulls out after just 4 laps.
Hamilton, having made short work of Magnussen, is now all over Gasly.
Out front Vettel posts a new fastest lap (35.369) as he build a 2.2s lead over Bottas who is 2.6s ahead of Raikkonen.
The first lap incident involving Perez and Hartley is under investigation.
At the start of lap 8, Hamilton sweeps past Gasly, who knows that resistance is futile.
Alonso is told that Hulkenberg is struggling with his battery.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Bahrain, here.
The stewards deem that no further action is needed in terms of the Hamilton / Verstappen incident. The same goes for an incident involving Hulkenberg and Magnussen.
However, bad news for Hartley who is given a 10s penalty for his clash with Perez.
A big, big lock-up for Alonso as he continues to shadow Hulkenberg.
Perez pits at the end of lap 10, switching to mediums. Vandoorne and Stroll also pit, the Williams driver changing his front wing, the old one clearly having been damaged.
In the Red Bull garage the team is already packing up.
Hamilton is advised that he is two-tenth faster than Vettel, albeit 14.6s down the road.
Yet to pass Hulkenberg, Alonso is advised that Gasly might have a brake problem.
Magnussen pits at the end of lap 13, the Dane rejoining in 6th having lost one place in the process.
Perez and Hartley are also under investigation for failure to maintain order on the formation lap.
Next time around Alonso pits, the Spaniard rejoining in 8th on mediums.
On fresh rubber Magnussen is losing time behind Sirotkin.
At the end of lap 15, Gasly, Hulkenberg and Ocon all pit, rejoining in 9th, 13th and 17th.
Alonso makes short work of Leclerc to take 13th, the Spaniard one of four drivers currently on medium tyres, the Sauber driver and the Panthers being the others.
Alonso now passes Sirotkin and sets about closing the 2s gap to Hulkenberg.
Despite all his troubles, Hartley is now up to 5th, though he still has that 10s penalty hanging over him when he pits.
Vettel pits at the end of lap 18, switching to softs. Bottas now leads Raikkonen by 5.6s with Hamilton a further 5.2s behind and 9.9s ahead of Vettel.
"We are sticking to Plan A," Hamilton is told. Plan A, we assume, being a one-stopper.
Raikkonen pits next time around, the Finn taking on softs and rejoining in fourth.
At the end of lap 20 Bottas pits thereby handing the lead to his Mercedes teammate. Bottas, now on the mediums, rejoins in third ahead of Raikkonen.
Hartley also pits at the end of lap 20, the Kiwi serving his time penalty in the process. He rejoins in 17th (of 18)
Alonso is told that Ericsson, Magnussen and Hulkenberg are all due to stop again and switch to used tyres.
The Ferraris are setting a blistering pace, first Vettel sets a new fastest lap (34.453) and then Raikkonen (34.411).
Now Bottas goes quickest, the Finn posting a 33.740 on his mediums.
Hulkenberg is clearly desperate to get past Ericsson who is hard on the heels of Magnussen.
A lap later (lap 23) Ericsson pits, rejoining in 15th.
On his fresh rubber Vettel is closing in on Hamilton, the only driver yet to stop, the Ferrari now just 0.8s behind the world champion.
"You're doing a good job but remember we are going for Plan B," Bottas is told.
Despite his ageing tyres Hamilton does his best to hold off Vettel for as long as possible, but with the aid of DRS and a nice tow the German sweeps by on the pit straight, much to the delight of the crowd.
Hamilton pits a lap later, at the end of lap 26, the Briton switching to the softs.
With all having stopped, after 26 laps, it's: Vettel, Bottas, Raikkonen, Hamilton, Gasly, Magnussen, Hulkenberg, Alonso, Vandoorne and Ocon.
Sainz makes his second stop of the afternoon, shortly after Magnussen makes his second stop.
Hamilton is told that Vettel - 24.9s ahead - is 2s outside his (Hamilton's) pit window.
As Ericsson passes Perez for 11th, Vandoorne makes his second stop.
Meanwhile, the cameras pick up on Grosjean's car which is missing a bargeboard.
Grosjean, while attacking Ocon, is now under attack from his Haas teammate. The Frenchman is all over the place, almost taking out the second Haas. "What the **** is he doing," asks Magnussen, not unreasonably.
"Tell him to get out of the ****ing way," shouts the Dane. Moments later Grosjean dives into the pits. "Well done guys," says Magnussen, "****ing hell!"
Clearly on a roll, Magnussen now passes Ocon to take 8th.
Perez is the latest to make a second stop, the Mexican under intense pressure from Hartley just before his stop.
Hamilton is told that Vettel is currently "1.3s un-safe". Indeed, the German is now working his way through the back-markers.
Gasly pits at the end of lap 34, the Frenchman rejoining in 7th ahead of Magnussen.
At the end of lap 35, Raikkonen pits as does Leclerc. Disaster for the Finn, he clouts a mechanic as he exits but he also appears to have one of the wheels not fitted properly. He grinds to a halt and climbs from his car walking back to check on his crew member who is receiving medical attention.
In the midst of all that Ocon pitted.
Replay shows that the left-rear soft tyre wasn't even changed.
Hamilton is advised of Raikkonen's retirement. The Briton is currently 13.1s down on Vettel with 19 laps remaining.
"Plan B," Vettel is told, advised also of Raikkonen's retirement.
Unsurprisingly, Ferrari is under investigation for the unsafe release of Raikkonen, the second time this weekend.
Hulkenberg and Alonso both pits at the end of lap 40, rejoining in 7th and 8th.
Vettel leads Bottas by 7.5s with Hamilton a further 10.9 behind. Gasly is fourth, ahead of Magnussen, Ericsson, Hulkenberg, Alonso, Hartley and Vandoorne.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Bahrain, here.
"I'm trying to understand what I've got to do," says Hamilton. "Low 34s," he is told. He responds with a 34.6.
Hulkenberg is all over Ericsson, as Ocon and Perez shadow Sainz.
Hamilton is told that Vettel may not stop.
A big lock-up for Bottas as he drops to 7.7s behind Vettel. Elsewhere, Hulkenberg passes Ericsson for 6th.
Now Ericsson is under attack from Alonso, whatever the outcome the Swede has done a great job. Indeed, Alonso is through.
Next to close in on Ericsson is Vettel who is coming up to lap the Sauber.
Grosjean and Perez go wheel to wheel with the Mexican subsequently getting in the way of Hamilton.
Lapping at 34.9, Hamilton is told he must get down to 34.0 if he is to catch up with Vettel.
Grosjean makes his third stop at the end of lap 46, rejoining in 16th of 17.
Hamilton is now lapping at 35.0, as he falls 11.9s behind the race leader.
Sainz and Ocon in a great battle for the final point.
"Come on, get me blue flags," urges Vettel as he continues to weave his way through the back-markers.
Hamilton is told to keep his head down, advised that Vettel's tyres might not last the distance. In the Mercedes garage Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda don't look convinced. Indeed, Hamilton has a couple of lock-ups.
With 7 laps remaining, Vettel has a 5.017s advantage over Bottas, while Hamilton is now 12.7s down.
Vandoorne is all over Ericsson, the only driver other than the Mercedes duo and Vettel on one stop.
"We need 8 quali laps," Hartley is told.
Now Hamilton is calling for blue flags, the Briton still 12s down on his foe.
However, Bottas has closed to within 3.2s of the race leader as Hamilton pulls off a 33.9.
"There will be no more lapped cars," Bottas is told, "so just push."
Going purple in S3, Hamilton posts another 33.9 as his teammate closes to within 2.3s of the leader.
Bottas continues to take big bites out of Vettel, closing to within 1.4s. He's almost within DRS range.
Vandoorne passes Ericsson to take 8th, the Sauber driver though comfortably ahead of tenth-placed Sainz.
"You can do this Valtteri, when you need it Strap 4, but only when you need it."
The tension is palpable as Bottas gets to within a few car lengths of the Ferrari.
Into T1 on the final lap and Bottas has a look but Vettel has it covered.
The Finn continues to harry the German but it is too little too late. Vettel takes a superb win, ahead of Bottas, Hamilton, Gasly, Magnussen, Hulkenberg, Alonso, Vandoorne, Ericsson and Ocon.
Sainz is eleventh, ahead of Perez, Hartley, Leclerc, Grosjean, Stroll and Sirotkin.
Amidst his usual screams of delight, Vettel admits that his tyres were done for the last ten laps.
"Who-hoo these tyres were done, they were done for the last ten laps!" he shouts. "Mama mia mama mia, grazie!"
Well if he was chuffed yesterday, he'll be doubly chuffed today.
While Hamilton will not be chuffed, he has good reason to be having started from ninth. Then again, will he feel his teammate might have done more seeing as, following Raikkonen's retirement, it was two against one.
A great drive from Vettel however, who joins an exclusive club, that includes his great hero Michael Schumacher, of men who have won their 200th Grand Prix.
But great drives from Gasly and Magnussen and Ericsson also, while McLaren must surely go home a lot happier than it was when it arrived here earlier.
On the other hand another dismal day for Williams.
"When they told me the pace of Valtteri, there was no way I could do that!" admits Vettel on the podium. "I was doing the maths in the car and realised he was going to catch me.
"I thought that was checkmate as we'd have to come in again but instead I nursed the tyres as much as I could but it was close, only just!"
"I knew there would be a chance, that he would struggle in the end," adds Bottas. "I was trying to get every lap perfect but it just wasn't quite enough.
"It put us under a lot of stress and pressure," responds Vettel. "We had nothing to lose by trying to stay out and trying to win. To get the win under these conditions tastes even better."
"I'm happy," says Hamilton. "Congratulations to Sebastian and to Valtteri who did a great job this weekend.
"Starting ninth it was damage limitation," he adds.
So, two out of two for Vettel and Ferrari, however, with an eye on that pit incident there will be mixed feelings in the garage tonight, while, with four loose wheels in two races the FIA will need to take action.
All in all a decent race with plenty of incident and a nail biting finish. All we need now is for Red Bull to sort its (Renault) issues and we could have a championship fight on our hands.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Bahrain, here.