Bahrain Grand Prix 2013 Results: Reaction, Leaders and Post-Race Analysis
After a wild 2013 Bahrain Grand Prix race at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Team Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel took the checkered flag Sunday for the second time this season.
Vettel has never been afraid of controversy or driving hard—as we saw from the way Malaysian Grand Prix ended—and after battling serious contenders Fernando Alonso and Nico Rosberg early in the race, the German star took the lead on Lap 4 and wouldn’t relinquish it.
The victory puts Vettel on the top of the F1 standings, just 10 points ahead of Kimi Raikkonen.
Team Lotus had a great day at the Bahrain Grand Prix as well, getting both Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean (second and third, respectively) on the podium with Vettel.
Pit strategy once again was a huge factor in the outcome of this race, as Vettel only needed to pit twice as opposed to the four stops drivers like Rosberg were forced to make Sunday.
It was that difference in strategy that gave Vettel the edge Sunday.
The top five was rounded out by Paul di Resta and Lewis Hamilton (fourth and fifth, respectively), who had strong runs, but there was never really a doubt that it would be Vettel that walked away victorious barring a catastrophic failure.
After position battles, grid penalties and pit strategies that did not work, the rest of the top 10 shook out as follows (in order): Sergio Perez, Mark Webber, Fernando Alonso, Nico Rosberg and Jenson Button.
The Formula 1 schedule is only four races old, but the wild racing thus far has resulted in some of the wildest action race fans could ever dream of this early in a campaign.
Let’s hope the madness continues over into the next race, the Spanish Grand Prix on May 12.
Final Leaderboard
Results via ESPNF1.com.
1. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull
2. Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus
3. Romain Grosjean, Lotus
4. Paul Di Resta, Force India
5. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
6. Sergio Perez, McLaren
7. Mark Webber, Red Bull
8. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari
9. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
10. Jenson Button, McLaren
11. Pastor Maldonado, Williams
12. Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
13. Adrian Sutil, Force India
14. Valtteri Bottas, Williams
15. Felipe Massa, Ferrari
16. Daniel Ricciardo, Toro Rosso
17. Charles Pic, Caterham
18. Esteban Gutierrez, Sauber
19. Jules Bianchi, Marussia
20. Max Chilton, Marussia
21. Giedo van der Garde, Caterham
Retirement
22. Jean-Eric Vergne, Toro Rosso
Post-Race Reaction
The official Twitter account of Infiniti’s Formula 1 race teams congratulated its driver and race winner Sebastian Vettel after a hard-fought win:
"Congratulations to Infiniti Performance Director, Sebastian Vettel - winner of the 2013 Bahrain Grand Prix
— Infiniti GP (@InfinitiGP) April 21, 2013"
Racing fan Ashley Marie Shafer took to Twitter to share her excitement over the race finish and having Team Lotus with two drivers on the podium:
The BBC’s official Twitter account shared a great picture of Vettel in his car after his second Formula 1 victory of the season:
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