2014 Bahrain Grand Prix Sunday - Bahrain GP
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Jenson Button reckons McLaren was only outpaced by Mercedes this evening - and that the team can take plenty of heart despite a double retirement.
We will leave it there for AUTOSPORT Live's coverage of the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend. Keep an eye on AUTOSPORT.com for full reaction to and analysis of a thrilling third round of the 2014 Formula 1 season.
This new-look F1 isn't too bad really, is it? Until next time, goodnight.
We will leave it there for AUTOSPORT Live's coverage of the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend. Keep an eye on AUTOSPORT.com for full reaction to and analysis of a thrilling third round of the 2014 Formula 1 season.
This new-look F1 isn't too bad really, is it? Until next time, goodnight.
Lewis Hamilton Nico Rosberg Bahrain Grand Prix
Kimi Raikkonen admits the Mercedes-powered cars are in a different class after a tough race to 10th place in the Ferrari.
Raikkonen: rivals in different class
Raikkonen: rivals in different class
Esteban Gutierrez reports to be fine after his accident, and insists he did nothing wrong despite Maldonado's claims.
"First of all, the most important is that I am ok. They did all the checks at the hospital and everything is fine.
"Concerning the accident, I was completely surprised that Pastor (Maldonado), who came out of the pits, ran into me. I was clearly in front of him. I turned into the corner and I was suddenly hit and I rolled over. There was nothing much I could do."
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Plenty for Nico Hulkenberg to be happy about, despite seeing team-mate Sergio Perez claim a podium for Force India before he has managed one...at all.
The German, as highly-rated as ever, lies third in the points after the opening three races, and had some kind words to say about Perez's achievement.
"It’s a great day for the team and I’m very happy for the guys" he said. "The battle with Checo was very clean and fair, and when you’re fighting for the podium you give everything but always stay within the lines. It was good fun.
"I held back Ricciardo for as long as I could and I managed to stay ahead of Vettel. It’s a great achievement for the team and we've shown once again that we are competitive so hopefully we can keep up the momentum in China."
The German, as highly-rated as ever, lies third in the points after the opening three races, and had some kind words to say about Perez's achievement.
"It’s a great day for the team and I’m very happy for the guys" he said. "The battle with Checo was very clean and fair, and when you’re fighting for the podium you give everything but always stay within the lines. It was good fun.
"I held back Ricciardo for as long as I could and I managed to stay ahead of Vettel. It’s a great achievement for the team and we've shown once again that we are competitive so hopefully we can keep up the momentum in China."
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Kevin Magnussen has described his Bahrain Grand Prix as "disappointing", and that's not just because it was ended by a suspected clutch failure.
The young Dane was hopeful of a strong race but had an anonymous run on the fringes of the top 10 before retiring.
"I hope there will be something to take out of this weekend," he said. "We are learning from every time we are on track with the car.
"But I think today we were expecting the cooler conditions to help us, but actually we were even weaker than we were in Malaysia for some reason."
The young Dane was hopeful of a strong race but had an anonymous run on the fringes of the top 10 before retiring.
"I hope there will be something to take out of this weekend," he said. "We are learning from every time we are on track with the car.
"But I think today we were expecting the cooler conditions to help us, but actually we were even weaker than we were in Malaysia for some reason."
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Williams has put its disappointing result down to excessive tyre degredtation - in a brilliant show of synchronised complaining.
Valtteri Bottas started the race third and both he and team-mate Felipe Massa were challenging for the final podium spot throughout the race, but dropped to seventh and eighth at the flag after tyre wear forced a third pitstop.
"The start was fantastic," said Massa, who shot to third at the first corner having started seventh. "We were in a good position and fighting but sadly the tyre degradation was worse than we expected."
"After a poor start our race strategy was compromised," Bottas explained. "I had too much wheelspin and that lost me a few positions which is frustrating.
"We had issues with the tyres that were worse than expected."
Valtteri Bottas started the race third and both he and team-mate Felipe Massa were challenging for the final podium spot throughout the race, but dropped to seventh and eighth at the flag after tyre wear forced a third pitstop.
"The start was fantastic," said Massa, who shot to third at the first corner having started seventh. "We were in a good position and fighting but sadly the tyre degradation was worse than we expected."
"After a poor start our race strategy was compromised," Bottas explained. "I had too much wheelspin and that lost me a few positions which is frustrating.
"We had issues with the tyres that were worse than expected."
Pastor Maldonado on his incident with Gutierrez:
"We will need to have a look again at what happened as Esteban seemed to be off his line coming into turn one - maybe he missed his braking point, I don't know – and by then I was in the corner with nowhere to go."
"We will need to have a look again at what happened as Esteban seemed to be off his line coming into turn one - maybe he missed his braking point, I don't know – and by then I was in the corner with nowhere to go."
Jenson Button believes McLaren took a step forward in terms of pace this weekend:
"Moreover, our degradation was positive and I think we did a very good job understanding our tyres.
"Only one team were demonstrably quicker than us today – Mercedes – but sadly they were a lot quicker than us.
"Having said that, our long-run pace was very good, especially over the last few laps, so I reckon we could have raced very hard to the finish on the Primes. But unfortunately I didn’t get that opportunity."
"Moreover, our degradation was positive and I think we did a very good job understanding our tyres.
"Only one team were demonstrably quicker than us today – Mercedes – but sadly they were a lot quicker than us.
"Having said that, our long-run pace was very good, especially over the last few laps, so I reckon we could have raced very hard to the finish on the Primes. But unfortunately I didn’t get that opportunity."
Twitter
Ah, this is good news, courtesy of Sauber on Twitter.
"Good news! @EstebanGtz has completed all medical checks and everything is fine. He has been released from the hospital."
"Good news! @EstebanGtz has completed all medical checks and everything is fine. He has been released from the hospital."
Breaking news
Here's the story of Pastor Maldonado losing five places on the grid for the Chinese Grand Prix following his accident with Gutierrez this evening.
Maldonado penalised for Gutierrez roll
Some win statistics after that race:
* Win number 102 for a Mercedes-engined car
* Lewis Hamilton's 24th win, moves him level with Juan Manuel Fangio in 10th on the all-time list
* 16 wins for Mercedes as a manufacturer, which moves it joint 11th with Cooper
* Win number 102 for a Mercedes-engined car
* Lewis Hamilton's 24th win, moves him level with Juan Manuel Fangio in 10th on the all-time list
* 16 wins for Mercedes as a manufacturer, which moves it joint 11th with Cooper
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Vettel, though, was not exactly pleased to finish sixth. The German was reporting a straightline speed problem all race long.
"Daniel proved that there was a little bit more to get from the car today, I couldn't really get to that bit, so I’m not so happy with my day," he said.
"For some reason we seemed to be really slow on the straights, and not just against the Mercedes."
"Daniel proved that there was a little bit more to get from the car today, I couldn't really get to that bit, so I’m not so happy with my day," he said.
"For some reason we seemed to be really slow on the straights, and not just against the Mercedes."
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Daniel Ricciardo finally gets some points on the board. The Aussie drove a superb race to get the better of Red Bull team-mate Sebastian Vettel, and was chuffed with the reward:
"It was an awesome race; it was exciting. I think the first stint was a bit follow-the-leader, but from the second stint onwards, the race really started to turn up the heat and there were more battles going on in front and behind – it was good to be a part of them.
"It was good fun to race Sebastian, it was hard but fair and we left each other room. That’s what we want from each other and we discussed it beforehand, we're racers and that’s what we enjoy doing."
Breaking news
More mutual respect between the Merc boys: Hamilton says Rosberg did a better job in the Bahrain Grand Prix, despite the Briton claiming his second consecutive Formula 1 victory.
"Winning the race is the greatest thing, you are happy, but deep down inside I didn't have the pace today."
Hamilton: Rosberg did a better job
"Winning the race is the greatest thing, you are happy, but deep down inside I didn't have the pace today."
Hamilton: Rosberg did a better job
Breaking news
Jules Bianchi has been awarded two penalty points for his clash with Adrian Sutil.
The Marussia driver is the first man to reach four penalty points this year.
The Marussia driver is the first man to reach four penalty points this year.
Breaking news
Pastor Maldonado has received three penalty points and a five-place grid penalty for tipping Gutierrez into that dramatic roll.
Here's a superb shot of Esteban Gutierrez's Maldonado-induced Superman impression.
The Mexican, we hear, has been taken for medical checks. Hopefully, as he made his way out of the Sauber unassisted, he'll be given the all-clear.
The Mexican, we hear, has been taken for medical checks. Hopefully, as he made his way out of the Sauber unassisted, he'll be given the all-clear.
Esteban Gutierrez, Sauber, Bahrain Grand Prix
"Wow, that was such a good grand prix. I really wish there was a service for me to access all that amazing information and see just how competitive this season is shaping up to be."
We hear you, readers. That's why our statistical partner FORIX is one of an AUTOSPORT subscription's finest additions.
You can check out all the data from the Bahrain Grand Prix, including driver quotes, lapcharts and much more information, right here.
We hear you, readers. That's why our statistical partner FORIX is one of an AUTOSPORT subscription's finest additions.
You can check out all the data from the Bahrain Grand Prix, including driver quotes, lapcharts and much more information, right here.
Sergio Perez admits today's podium feels very special following his struggles at McLaren last year:
Perez podium 'special' after tough 2013
Perez podium 'special' after tough 2013
Twitter
Total, undeniable, flat-out, unadulterated praise for F1 2014 from Mark Webber on Twitter:
"Was a good old GP that..."
"Was a good old GP that..."
Amid talk of Mercedes engine domination, it's worth remembering the top 10 (and only) finishers in the 1982 race at Long Beach were powered by Ford power units.
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Having become only the second driver to finish on the podium in a Force India, Sergio Perez is unsurprisingly stoked with his evening's work.
"Nico [Hulkenberg] had newer tyres than I did, but the stops made a massive difference," he said. "I had to jump him back and overtake a Williams. It was a really enjoyable race, just like karting days.
"When I got to the finish line it was a great feeling. To be able to qualify fourth and straight away be able to fight for the podium was a great feeling and an amazing podium."
EDD STRAW: Mercedes team now congregating on the pit lane to celebrate another one-two. After waiting almost 60 years from 1955 between one-twos, the marque gets two in seven days!
Rosberg's reiterating time and again that "you can't call the sport boring". A reminder of what he's talking about:
Luca di Montezemolo labels 2014 F1 'taxi-cab racing'
Bernie Ecclestone says new-look F1 'unacceptable' for fans
Luca di Montezemolo labels 2014 F1 'taxi-cab racing'
Bernie Ecclestone says new-look F1 'unacceptable' for fans
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Some more from Nico on that battle for the lead:
"I was quicker today which I was pleased about, I tried to overtake at end of first stint but couldn't make it stick. I had a shot again at the end with the option, it was a good lap again but unfortunately I couldn't make it happen, he did a great job defending.
"It was a massive fight out there, that is what I am here for. It is a good day for the sport because of recent criticisms. It will all go quiet tomorrow, and it is a good that we made it happen – but of course I am very unhappy with second."
"I was quicker today which I was pleased about, I tried to overtake at end of first stint but couldn't make it stick. I had a shot again at the end with the option, it was a good lap again but unfortunately I couldn't make it happen, he did a great job defending.
"It was a massive fight out there, that is what I am here for. It is a good day for the sport because of recent criticisms. It will all go quiet tomorrow, and it is a good that we made it happen – but of course I am very unhappy with second."
Onto the constructors' standings, and the good news continues for Force India:
1. Mercedes 111
2. Force India-Mercedes 44
3. McLaren-Mercedes 43
4. Red Bull-Renault 35
5. Ferrari 33
6. Williams-Mercedes 30
7. Toro Rosso-Renault 7
1. Mercedes 111
2. Force India-Mercedes 44
3. McLaren-Mercedes 43
4. Red Bull-Renault 35
5. Ferrari 33
6. Williams-Mercedes 30
7. Toro Rosso-Renault 7
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Hamilton rates that effort to keep Rosberg at bay as "one of my most difficult races", saying that the "last race like that was Indy 2007".
That was in his rookie season, when he fought off then-McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso to take his second win in a week.
"Nico drove a fantastic race and when you are with your team-mate it is hard to make the right decision - where to put car, where to brake - but it was great."
Here are the drivers' standings after three races, and Hamilton's now just 11 points behind Rosberg.
And look who is third - Nico Hulkenberg. He's quite good isn't he?
1. Nico Rosberg 61
2. Lewis Hamilton 50
3. Nico Hulkenberg 28
4. Fernando Alonso 26
5. Jenson Button 23
6. Sebastian Vettel 23
7. Kevin Magnussen 20
8. Valtteri Bottas 18
9. Sergio Perez 16
10. Daniel Ricciardo 12
11. Felipe Massa 12
12. Kimi Raikkonen 7
13. Jean-Eric Vergne 4
14. Daniil Kvyat 3
And look who is third - Nico Hulkenberg. He's quite good isn't he?
1. Nico Rosberg 61
2. Lewis Hamilton 50
3. Nico Hulkenberg 28
4. Fernando Alonso 26
5. Jenson Button 23
6. Sebastian Vettel 23
7. Kevin Magnussen 20
8. Valtteri Bottas 18
9. Sergio Perez 16
10. Daniel Ricciardo 12
11. Felipe Massa 12
12. Kimi Raikkonen 7
13. Jean-Eric Vergne 4
14. Daniil Kvyat 3
More from STRAW, who has spied some Red Bull chatter:
"Ricciardo just had a quiet word with Kvyat in the TV pen after the race. Looked from afar like he thanked him for backing out of that passing move."
If you're wondering, that's why Ricciardo was recovering after running wide at Turn 1 and Kvyat failed to take advantage and demote him further.
"Ricciardo just had a quiet word with Kvyat in the TV pen after the race. Looked from afar like he thanked him for backing out of that passing move."
If you're wondering, that's why Ricciardo was recovering after running wide at Turn 1 and Kvyat failed to take advantage and demote him further.
Word from EDD STRAW, who made his way to the podium madness:
"Vijay Mallya is clearly reveling in his team's return to the podium. Being interviewed next to the trophy right now."
"Vijay Mallya is clearly reveling in his team's return to the podium. Being interviewed next to the trophy right now."
Breaking news
Want to relive the Bahrain Grand Prix? BEN ANDERSON's race report is available for your perusing:
Hamilton wins Bahrain thriller
If nothing else, that race should prove that judging a new era after two races is...premature, to say the least.
Twitter
More reaction to a terrific race - from a man who knows a thing or two about being involved in mega scraps, Ducati MotoGP ace Cal Crutchlow:
"@LewisHamilton what a drive ! Great fight and good to see …"
"@LewisHamilton what a drive ! Great fight and good to see …"
Breaking news
That's not the only story to have broken since the race began - Formula 1's plans for a cost cap in 2015 have been abandoned, FIA president Jean Todt has revealed.
Breaking news
That was one in the eye for critics of the new-look F1, and if you're still not satisfied by the noise of the V6 turbos then guess what? F1 2014 is going to be cranked up.
AUTOSPORT has learned that teams and the sport's bosses have agreed to look into ways to make the current cars louder, following complaints about the noise.
Full story here:
Formula 1 cars to be made louder
AUTOSPORT has learned that teams and the sport's bosses have agreed to look into ways to make the current cars louder, following complaints about the noise.
Full story here:
Formula 1 cars to be made louder
That comment from de Ferran could be in response to a number of things - possibly even a message from Hamilton on the slowing down lap, in which we think he said something about "not having the speed this side of the garage".
That said, the ebullience on the podium showed he was well and truly reveling in the rivalry with Rosberg.
Twitter
Gil de Ferran, though, is not a fan of radio complaining:
"Great race, apart from the whining on the radio! Get on with it!"
"Great race, apart from the whining on the radio! Get on with it!"
Twitter
Rave reviews for that race on Twitter. Here's sometime Force India Friday driver-turned-Ferrari WEC factory driver James Calado:
@JamesCalado: "Best formula 1 race in 10 years I reckon!! Awesome. Congratulations @MercedesAMGF1 and @LewisHamilton"
@JamesCalado: "Best formula 1 race in 10 years I reckon!! Awesome. Congratulations @MercedesAMGF1 and @LewisHamilton"
Perez says the safety car was pivotal as Johnson rounds up the podium interviews. Entertaining way to cap a very, very entertaining race.
By: Scott Mitchell, Ben Anderson, Edd Straw, Matt Beer, Pablo Elizalde
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