Print

Mail

wiki links

Massa wins in Bahrain, Hamilton takes second

Brazilian Ferrari driver Felipe Massa drives at the Sakhir racetrack on Sunday in Manama during the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix. Massa won ahead of British McLaren-Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton and Finnish Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen. PHOTO: AFP

Felipe Massa of Ferrari won the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, and Lewis Hamilton of McLaren finished second, becoming the first driver to start his Formula One career with three straight podium finishes.

Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari was third, and Nick Heidfeld of BMW-Sauber was fourth.

Hamilton, Formula One's first black driver, finished third at the Australian GP and second at the Malaysian GP. The previous best start to an F1 career was Peter Arundell with two podiums in two starts in 1964.

"I think it is a fantastic achievement, another to add to my career," Hamilton said. "I am extremely proud."

Massa won in 1 hour, 33 minutes, 27.515 seconds. Hamilton was 2.360 seconds behind.

After dominating testing and having two consecutive pole positions, Massa gained his first victory of the season and third of his career. He was the third different winner in three races this season.

"The results of the first two races was not what I expected," Massa said. "Something was missing. ... I had a bit of mistakes. This time we put everything together."

Two-time defending world champion Fernando Alonso was fifth, creating a three-way tie in the drivers' standings. Alonso, Hamilton and Raikkonen each have 22 points, but Alonso and Raikkonen have both won already this season. Massa is next with 17 points.

By lap 39, Massa was cruising with a 10-second lead over Hamilton but Raikkonen just a second back of Hamilton.

After the second pit stops, Massa still led comfortably. Hamilton closed to within three seconds at the end but never really got close enough to challenge Massa.

"The second stint was fantastic for me. I managed to build a very nice and good gap," Massa said. "I started to look after my car and keeping the pace."

Raikkonen ended up 10.8 seconds back in third.
This story has been viewed 1435 times.