Vettel dominates

Defending double world champion Sebastian Vettel claimed his first win of the year yesterday to take over as leader of the Formula One title race when he triumphed in the controversial Bahrain Grand Prix.

Without any threatened interference from demonstrators at the heavily-guarded Sakhir circuit, the 24-year-old German regained the form of last year and controlled the race from start to finish.

He jumped to the top of the drivers’ standings after registering his 22nd career victory with a near-flawless drive from pole position to the chequered flag.

Vettel came home ahead of Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 champion, and the Finn’s Lotus team-mate Romain Grosjean.

“That was an incredible race, very tough,” said Vettel.

“I was lucky to have a good start, and that was crucial, as it let me pull away and open up a gap at the front. But Kimi challenged me – I think he must have found a dealer who had all those new tyres.”

Raikkonen said: “I had one chance to pass him, but I couldn’t quite do it and that was it. But it was a good race for us.”

It was Grosjean’s first podium finish in Formula One and the 25-year-old Frenchman said: “I said at first I wanted to finish in the points and then in the top five, and now on the podium.

“Let’s take a break before I say I want to win!”

Mark Webber finished fourth in the second Red Bull, confirming their return to form after a lacklustre start to the year.

Vettel was the fourth different winner in four races so far in the 2012 season and he now leads the standings with 53 points ahead of Lewis Hamilton 49 and Webber on 48.

Nico Rosberg, who claimed his maiden victory for the Mercedes team the week before in China, finished fifth ahead of Paul Di Resta, of Force India, and Fernando Alonso, of Ferrari.

Hamilton came home eighth after a troubled race for McLaren, ahead of Felipe Massa in the second Ferrari and, amazingly, Michael Schumacher in the second Mercedes.

Schumacher had started from 22nd on the grid yesterday.

Hamilton’s McLaren team-mate Jenson Button retired on the final lap after a late puncture, but had been unable to mount a serious challenge in a race of rapidly-changing positions.

The top four finishers were all powered by Renault engines, the automotive company that owned the Lotus team until last year.

It was the first time since 1979 that Lotus, in name, had carried two drivers to podium finishes at a Grand Prix.

While Red Bull celebrated a comeback, thanks to cute aerodynamic changes and good tyre management, and Lotus enjoyed their surge to the front, it was a tough day for McLaren.

Button was unable to find a good set-up and Hamilton, fast enough to challenge on speed, was undone by two slow pit-stops when the left rear wheel appeared to cause problems.

Bahrain GP result

1. S. Vettel (Red Bull) - 1:35.10.990
2. K. Raikkonen (Lotus)at 3.333 secs
3. R. Grosjean (Lotus) - 10.194
4. M. Webber (Red Bull) - 38.788
5. N. Rosberg (Mercedes) - 55.460
6. P. Di Resta (Force India) - 57.543
7. F. Alonso (Ferrari) - 57.803
8. L. Hamilton (McLaren) - 58.984
9. F. Massa (Ferrari) - 1:04.999
10. M. Schumacher (Mercedes) - 1:11.490
11. S. Perez (Sauber) - 1:12.702
12. N. Hulkenberg (Force India) - 1:16.539
13. K. Kobayashi (Sauber) - 1:30.334
14. J.E. Vergne (Toro Rosso) - 1:33.723
15. D. Ricciardo (Toro Rosso) - 1 lap
16. V. Petrov (Caterham) - 1 lap
17. H. Kovalainen (Caterham) - 1 lap
18. J. Button (McLaren) - 2 laps
19. T. Glock (Marussia) - 2 laps
20. P. De la Rosa (HRT) - 2 laps
21. N. Karthikeyan (HRT) - 2 laps
22. B. Senna (Williams) - 3 laps

Retired from race
P. Maldonado (Williams) - 25 laps
C. Pic (Marussia) - 24 laps

Fastest lap: Vettel, 1:36.379, lap 41.
Next race: Spain GP, May 13.

Overall standings

Drivers
1. Vettel (GER) 53, 2. Hamilton (GBR) 49, 3. Webber (AUS) 48, 4. Button (GBR) 43, 5. Alonso (ESP) 43, 6. Rosberg (GER) 35, 7. Raik-konen (FIN) 34, 8. Grosjean (FRA) 23, 9. Perez (MEX) 22, 10. Di Resta (SCO) 15, 11. Senna (BRA) 14, 12. Kobayashi (JPN) 9, 13. Vergne (FRA) 4, 14. Maldonado (VEN) 4, 15. Ricciar-do (AUS) 2, 16. Hulkenberg (GER) 2, 17. Massa (BRA) 2, 18. Schumacher (GER) 2.

Constructors
1. Red Bull 101, 2. McLaren 92, 3. Lotus 57, 4. Ferrari 45, 5. Mercedes 37, 6. Sauber 31, 7. Williams 18, 8. F. India 17, 9. T. Rosso 6.