Race: Ferrari Double in Bahrain, Alonso Wins!

Fernando Alonso won the first Grand Prix of the 2010 season and finished first in a Scuderia Ferrari one-two. The Spanish double world champion expertly managed the opening race of the 2010 season, leading after 49 laps ahead of his recuperated teammate Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton. Pole-sitter Vettel finished 4th due to mechanical trouble, and Michael Schumacher, returning to competition after three years of absence, finished 6th.

In this new season, the stakes for a victory are very high. First place earns 25 points, compared to 18 for the second and 15 for the third. Fernando Alonso understood this well and pushed his Ferrari to the limit to secure victory in the first race of 2010 with more than fourteen seconds lead. The Spaniard had no reliability issues, unlike his teammate Felipe Massa, allowing Ferrari to achieve their 80th one-two finish in Formula 1. The Brazilian finished the Grand Prix in pain, forced to conserve his tires and engine.

On the last step of the podium, Lewis Hamilton made a remarkable comeback from 4th place by denying German Sebastian Vettel a podium finish. With the Red Bull Renault, the 2009 World Vice-Champion encountered an exhaust problem with 20 laps remaining. Forced to reduce his pace to preserve his engine while leading the race, Vettel lost a position to Alonso, then to Massa. Hamilton also took advantage of the situation. The car’s mechanics eventually held up until the end of the Grand Prix, preserving his standing and allowing him to score 12 points. Without taking any risks, the Red Bull was immobilized on the side of the track immediately after crossing the finish line.

Rosberg finishes 5th. The Mercedes driver managed to keep seven-time world champion and teammate Michael Schumacher in his mirrors. Starting very well at the beginning, Rosberg was ahead of Hamilton before his first pit stop. The Englishman passed him during the tire change.

Michael Schumacher therefore finishes 6th and scores significant points in his first Grand Prix in three years. Initially behind at the start of the weekend, the German gradually closed the gap on Rosberg and ultimately finishes just a few seconds behind his teammate. He is ahead of Button in the second McLaren. The reigning world champion was never able to get back in the race for the podium, unlike his teammate. Webber is 8th in the second Red Bull.

Liuzzi and Barrichello complete the top 10. These positions are now rewarded with points, and Liuzzi allows Force India to score its first points in 2010 from the very first race. The chances were, however, on the Force India of his teammate, who started 10th in qualifying. The German had a good start but spun after the first corner due to a lack of visibility caused by smoke from an overflow from Mark Webber. Robert Kubica was a victim of the same scenario on the Renault. The Pole, who started 9th, thus lost all chances of a good result right from the start. Sutil eventually finishes 12th, just behind Kubica’s Renault. Alguersuari, Hülkenberg, and Kovalainen are the last to cross the finish line.

Many retirements to report. The new teams are still unreliable, and even the more experienced ones. Renault loses Petrov’s car due to a problem with the suspension arms. Both Sauber and Virgin drivers also had to retire, as did both Hispania drivers and Buemi’s Toro Rosso.

In two weeks, in Australia, reliability will be another key point for hoping to rank well. A new unknown appears: the resistance of the engines against cars overloaded with fuel at the start.

Bahrain Grand Prix Results – Sunday, March 14, 2010: