Practice
Räikkönen was fastest again in the afternoon session, clocking a time of 1:33.527, just under four tenths slower than his fastest time during the morning session. Unlike the morning session, however, Ferrari did not have both their cars occupying the top two as Massa's fastest time was fourth fastest, with Hamilton and BMW Sauber 's Robert Kubica separating the two Ferraris.
Race
At the start, the two leaders maintained their positions with Alonso passing Räikkönen into the second corner to take third. Further back, Adrian Sutil , Jenson Button and Scott Speed were involved in a collision in turn four, with Button and Speed out on the spot, while Sutil managed to get back to the pits. The Safety Car was brought out to clear up the wreckage. Vitantonio Liuzzi had a drive-through penalty on lap nine for overtaking under a safety car. On the same lap, Rosberg had an off-track excursion, losing a place to Coulthard in the process. The front two stayed in the same positions after the first round of stops, but Räikkönen got back past Alonso to take third. Alonso began to lose ground, and was passed by Heidfeld. He stayed behind the BMW for the remainder of the race. The Renaults also began to struggle, with Coulthard managing to overtake Fisichella. However, both Red Bulls retired in quick succession, promoting Trulli and Fisichella to the points. Massa won the Grand Prix, 2.3 seconds in front of rookie Hamilton.
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26°01′57″N 50°30′38″E / 26.03250°N 50.51056°E / 26.03250; 50.51056
Race Result
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Constructor | Laps | Time/Retired |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | Felipe Massa | Ferrari | 57 | 1:33:27.515 |
| 2 | 2 | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren-Mercedes | 57 | +2.360 |
| 3 | 6 | Kimi Räikkönen | Ferrari | 57 | +10.839 |
| 4 | 9 | Nick Heidfeld | BMW Sauber | 57 | +13.831 |
| 5 | 1 | Fernando Alonso | McLaren-Mercedes | 57 | +14.426 |
| 6 | 10 | Robert Kubica | BMW Sauber | 57 | +45.529 |
| 7 | 12 | Jarno Trulli | Toyota | 57 | +1:21.371 |
| 8 | 3 | Giancarlo Fisichella | Renault | 57 | +1:21.701 |
| 9 | 4 | Heikki Kovalainen | Renault | 57 | +1:29.411 |
| 10 | 16 | Nico Rosberg | Williams-Toyota | 57 | +1:29.916 |
Qualifying
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Constructor | Q1 | Q2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | Felipe Massa | Ferrari | 1:32.443 | 1:31.359 |
| 2 | 2 | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren-Mercedes | 1:32.580 | 1:31.752 |
| 3 | 6 | Kimi Räikkönen | Ferrari | 1:33.161 | 1:31.812 |
| 4 | 1 | Fernando Alonso | McLaren-Mercedes | 1:33.049 | 1:32.214 |
| 5 | 9 | Nick Heidfeld | BMW Sauber | 1:33.164 | 1:32.154 |
| 6 | 10 | Robert Kubica | BMW Sauber | 1:33.348 | 1:32.292 |
| 7 | 3 | Giancarlo Fisichella | Renault | 1:33.556 | 1:32.889 |
| 8 | 15 | Mark Webber | Red Bull-Renault | 1:33.496 | 1:32.808 |
| 9 | 12 | Jarno Trulli | Toyota | 1:33.218 | 1:32.429 |
| 10 | 16 | Nico Rosberg | Williams-Toyota | 1:33.349 | 1:32.815 |
Championship Standings After This Race
The Paddock Breakdown
Barry · Gary · KatGary — 33 · Three Fantasy F1 leagues
The Sauber team, employing the Wun Driver chassis and a 2. 4-liter BMW P84 engine, delivered a startling 8th-place showing in the first session. A testament to meticulous development, that power unit's peak horsepower, nearing 670, proved significantly more competitive than initially anticipated given the circuit's demanding layout. Hamilton, piloting a McLaren-Mercedes MP4-23 with its 2. 4-liter Honda engine, secured a historic podium position – a feat echoing the legendary achievements of Fangio and Moss. The race, unfolding under a cloudless sky, promised a captivating tactical battle between the established giants.
The air hangs thick with the scent of desert dust and anticipation. Kimi Räikkönen, with that audacious lap, establishes a clear dominance this morning, a rhythm echoing the early brilliance of Fangio. A scant 0. 5 seconds separates the Ferraris – a gulf of performance that suggests a strategic battle unfolding before us, reminiscent of the gladiatorial contests of the early Grand Prix era. Hamilton's strong showing, securing a podium position in his first three races, presents a statistical anomaly, a trend yet to be fully established within the evolving landscape of modern Formula One.
Kat — 30 · Technical journalist
There it is. A crimson blur, Räikkönen pushing the Ferrari to its absolute limit, a fraction of a second separating him from the lead. This echoes, doesn't it? The raw aggression of Fangio, the relentless pursuit of victory that has defined this sport since its inception. Hamilton, predictably, stalks close behind, the young Brit attempting to impose his will on the established order. A pivotal moment, this. The Bahrain Grand Prix already offers a glimpse of a new generation challenging the established titans. The political climate abroad—the escalating tensions in Northern Ireland – casts a long shadow, a reminder that even the most meticulously engineered machines are subject to forces beyond their control. The race, and perhaps the world, hangs in the balance.
There's a stillness here, a palpable heat rising from the asphalt. Massa, a man of calculated aggression, sits in his cockpit, meticulously adjusting the steering wheel. A familiar tension radiates from him – the weight of expectation, the relentless pursuit of perfection. This is the bedrock of Ferrari's strategy, isn't it? To build a race around his unwavering focus. Hamilton, of course, observes from the pit wall, a young man absorbing the nuances of a battle fought with precision. The Bahrain International Circuit, a track forged in the fires of a nascent era, demands respect. A significant day for the young Brit, to say the least.