Sebastian Vettel wins 2013 Bahrain GP

Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) started the Bahrain Grand Prix from the front row and went on to pocket yet another easy F1 victory in last night’s race. He finished ahead of the Lotus pairing, with Kimi Raikkonen extending his sequence of race finishes to an impressive 31 by taking second place and Romain Grosjean enjoying his return to the podium in third.

Those paying attention at home will recognise these are the same podium placings we saw in Bahrain last year.

Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) raised a few eyebrows by claiming pole position and his subsequent race finish of ninth proved that surprise was justified. Rosberg just didn’t have the race pace and although he led from the start Vettel was able to overtake him without too much bother on the second lap. And for Vettel that was pretty much the end of his troubles. It is his 28th race win and puts him clear of Sir Jackie Stewart on the all-time winners list.

Perhaps Vettel may have been given a tougher test if the rear wing on Fernando Alonso’s Ferrari had a spine to match its driver. Twice Alonso was forced into the pits in the early stages to have his DRS flap closed, yet he was able to fight his way back into the top 10, finishing eighth and earning himself four very valuable points.

Paul di Resta (Force India) looked set to earn his first podium finish thanks to some good raw pace and a two-stop tyre strategy, the same as Raikkonen, alas for him Grosjean was able to reel him in and demote the Scot to fourth place, which is still a career best for him.

Speaking of being reeled in, Mark Webber’s year and perhaps his whole Red Bull career was encapsulated in the final lap, which he started in fifth place and ended in seventh, all while his teammate cruised to glory. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) first, then Sergio Perez (McLaren) got passed Mark and his rapidly deteriorating tyres on the last lap to claim fifth and six places. Not the best result for Mark in his 200th F1 start.

Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso) had an almost anonymous race and after his previous high in China will have been disappointed to finish in P16. But, at least he finished, unlike teammate Jean-Eric Vergne, who got tangled up with backmarkers and was the only driver who failed to finish.

There’s a couple of weeks off before the F1 circus finds its way back to Europe and as is often the case the season is wonderfully placed with so much potential to surprise. Let’s just hope the season doesn’t mirror the result in Bahrain and sees Vettel race off into the sunset unopposed.

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

2013 Bahrain Grand Prix final placings

1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing – 57 Laps (25pts)
2. Kimi Räikkönen Lotus – +9.1 secs (18pts)
3. Romain Grosjean Lotus – +19.5 secs (15pts)
4. Paul di Resta Force India – +21.7 secs (12pts)
5. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes AMG – +35.2 secs (10pts)
6. Sergio Perez McLaren – +35.9 secs (8pts)
7. Mark Webber Red Bull Racing – +37.2 secs (6pts)
8. Fernando Alonso Ferrari – +37.5 secs (4pts)
9. Nico Rosberg Mercedes AMG – +41.1 secs (2pts)
10. Jenson Button McLaren – +46.6 secs 10 (1pt)
11. Pastor Maldonado Williams – +66.4 secs
12. Nico Hulkenberg Sauber – +72.9 secs
13. Adrian Sutil Force India – +76.7 secs
14. Valtteri Bottas Williams – +81.5 secs
15. Felipe Massa Ferrari – +86.3 secs
16. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso – +1 Lap
17. Charles Pic Caterham – +1 Lap
18. Esteban Gutierrez Sauber – +1 Lap
19. Jules Bianchi Marussia – +1 Lap
20. Max Chilton Marussia – +1 Lap
21. Giedo van der Garde Caterham – +2 Laps

Retired/not classified
Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso +41 Laps

Fastest lap
Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1:36.961

2013 F1 world championship – Drivers (top 10)

1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing – 77
2. Kimi Räikkönen Lotus – 67
3. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes AMG – 50
4. Fernando Alonso Ferrari – 47
5. Mark Webber Red Bull Racing – 32
6. Felipe Massa Ferrari – 30
7. Romain Grosjean Lotus – 26
8. Paul di Resta Force India – 20
9. Nico Rosberg Mercedes AMG – 14
10. Jenson Button McLaren – 13

2013 F1 world championship – Constructors

1. Red Bull Racing-Renault – 109
2. Lotus-Renault – 93
3. Ferrari – 77
4. Mercedes – 64
5. Force India-Mercedes – 26
6. McLaren-Mercedes – 23
7. STR-Ferrari – 7
8. Sauber-Ferrari – 5