Bahrain had one colour on Sunday 6th April, and that was red. BMW Sauber were strong enough to keep the pressure on and to take the lead in the world championship for constructors, thanks to Kubica and Heidfeld finishing third and fourth, but the one-two result for Massa and Raikkonen confirmed the form the world champions had shown in Malaysia. As for McLaren, and in particular Hamilton, this was a race best forgotten.
Massa really needed this victory, and his Ferrari had all the pace it needed, and he could control the race. His only problem was ensuring that there was no repeat of Malaysia. Raikkonen was quick, but not quick enough to challenge his team mate. Taking the lead in the world championship for drivers’ points table was adequate compensation as Ferrari dominated, however.
BMW Sauber and Kubica continue growing and he was quick throughout, but though the fastest laps suggest otherwise he did not quite have enough speed to challenge the Ferraris.
McLaren had to put a brave face on a race that saw them lose the lead in both championships. Hamilton’s start problem came when he selected the wrong procedure and activated the anti-stall mechanism at the wrong moment. Then he compounded that by hitting Alonso on the second lap. The race was as difficult as Alonso had expected, and after being attacked by Hamilton on the second lap the Spaniard pushed as hard as he could. Tenth place was the ultimate result. Piquet spun in the esses on the second lap but lapped faster than his team mate before a gearbox problem obliged him to quit.
The fight will continues at Montmelo on 27th April but it seems quite obvious that Ferrari will maintain his predominance.
