Bahrain GP – Alonso leads Ferrari 1-2; Karun crashes on 2nd lap

Fernando Alonso led a Ferrari 1-2 at the season opening Bahrain GP, thereby taking the 22nd victory of his career. Hamilton took third behind Massa. Polesitter Vettel could only manage 4th after his Red Bull showed some problems with 20 laps to go. It was Ferrari’s first one-two since the French Grand Prix in June 2008, and Alonso’s first victory since Japan the same year when he was with Renault.

Hit the jump for race classification and points distribution.

Mercedes’ full fledged return to F1 saw them take 5th and 6th by Rosberg and Michael respectively. MS has apparently asked for some time to find his rythm. 2009 champion Jenson Button took 7th place, a day that he would definitely like to forget. Jenson was disappointed with the pace of his Mclaren. Mark Webber finished 8th. Force India received the first points of their season with Liuzzi taking 9th and Barrichello brought home his Williams 10th.

The rule changes seem to have dampened on-track excitement as there were hardly any overtaking maneuvers in the race. The ban on refueling are an additional dampener. The close pitstop strategy were all sorely missed. The field of cars merely ran in a procession. We hope the FIA rethinks the ban on refueling for the next season. Find the detailed results below.

Race Classification – Driver Name and Timing

1. Alonso Ferrari 1h39:20.396

2. Massa Ferrari + 16.099

3. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes + 23.182

4. Vettel Red Bull-Renault + 38.713

5. Rosberg Mercedes + 40.263

6. Schumacher Mercedes + 44.180

7. Button McLaren-Mercedes + 45.260

8. Webber Red Bull-Renault + 46.308

9. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes + 53.089

10. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth + 1:02.400

11. Kubica Renault + 1:09.093

12. Sutil Force India-Mercedes + 1:22.958

13. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1:32.656

14. Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth + 1 lap

15. Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth + 1 lap

16. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 3 laps

17. Trulli Lotus-Cosworth + 3 laps

Not classified/retirements: Driver Team On lap

De la Rosa Sauber-Ferrari 30

Senna HRT-Cosworth 18

Glock Virgin-Cosworth 17

Petrov Renault 14

Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 12

Di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 3

Chandhok HRT-Cosworth 2

Driver standings after Round 1

1. Alonso 25

2. Massa 18

3. Hamilton 15

4. Vettel 12

5. Rosberg 10

6. Schumacher 8

7. Button 6

8. Webber 4

9. Liuzzi 2

10. Barrichello 1

Constructors Standings after Round 1

1. Ferrari 43

2. McLaren-Mercedes 21

3. Mercedes GP 18

4. Red Bull-Renault 16

5. Force India-Mercedes 2

6. Williams-Cosworth 1

Inputs from Autosport and F1.com