Felipe's perfect weekend in Bahrain.

The first of the back-to-back races of the season the teams only had a 7 day gap between here and Malaysia. With Mclaren on a high after there win and strong start to the season. Meanwhile at Ferrari they wanted to prove there car was still the best. And Felipe Massa was under pressure to perform after the embarrassment of the previous weekend. Many people criticizing his poor attempt at passing Hamilton. Many people were talking about Hamilton having the upper hand in the physiological battle between the two after his impressive moves in the first two races rattling Massa. The grid looked an appetising aspect with Massa securing his 2nd consecutive pole from Lewis Hamilton. With Räikkönen 3rd and Alonso a surprising 4th. But feeling comfortable he had a good race strategy. As the race turned out it was a weekend for the No.2 Drivers. The BMW’s of Heidfeld and Kubica lined up 5th and 6th Fisichella dragging the Renault back into the top 10 with 7th and the Red Bull of Webber in 8th.

Away from the start Massa and Hamilton went down to turn one with Massa leading Hamilton, Unable to pull one of his first corner tricks this time. Meanwhile Alonso jumped Kimi Räikkönen for 3rd with the BMW’s behind. But at the tail end of the field it all came undone for Scott Speed Jenson Button at turn 3 with a tail end clash. This lead to the safety car being deployed. Once it returned to the pits Massa Sped towards the start finish with Hamilton close in tow and Alonso behind. But Räikkönen was no where near Alonso. While Räikkönen spent the next few laps clawing the gap he had lost to the Mclaren back Massa and Hamilton dropped there teammates trading fastest laps between them. With Kimi stuck behind Alonso unable to pass he had to wait until lap 22 when Alonso pitted, Räikkönen Was able to stay out 1 lap longer and then pass him in the pit stops. Meanwhile Alonso did not seem happy in the car at all. He seemed to have the same twitchy problems that Hamilton had suffered in Malaysia though he was able to bring the car to him after a few laps Alonso just didn’t seem to have the car under him. Heidfeld who was having a good start to the season was able to close straight on to the back of him. Unable to slip stream past as Alonso played defensive. But this compromised Alonso’s exit speed and was passed on the outside of the following corner in a brilliant move. Infact it was the middle stint of the race that hurt both Mclarens. The team decided to go for a long mid section of the race on soft tires, As the harder of the two compounds it was reckoned cost around a second a lap. At this point the Mclarens pace dropped. Hamilton dropped off the back of Massa and Alonso fell into and was passed by Heidfeld. Räikkönen was able to catch Hamilton but come the second round of stops both teams switched to the harder compound where although thought to be slower Massa set the fastest lap of the race on lap 42. This also sped the Mclarens up. As Alonso closed back up on Heidfeld and Hamilton Bearing down on Massa who had a 7 second lead after the stops were complete. Hamilton bearing down on the leader at around 0.7 a lap at some stages. Unfortunately for Hamilton there weren’t enough laps left in the race as Massa won 2.3 seconds in his pocket. With Räikkönen 3rd Heidfeld a strong 4th again and Alonso a struggling 5th the Championship saw Alonso, Räikkönen and Hamilton joint 1st with 22 points with Massa’s win moving him just 5 points behind.

Race Bits

• Those people who were hoping that the retirement of Michael Schumacher would close things up were getting the wish. With the a three way tie at the top of the table and Massa just behind there’s a good chance this year could be a 4 way fight for the title all year.



• Kimi Räikkönen didn’t do himself any favours after losing 2.4 seconds to Alonso after the safety car period while the top 3 pulled away Räikkönen seemed to be in a daydream.



• The Honda team still weren’t moving forward. Button after qualifying said “I kept moving further rearwards on the brake bias but it didn’t really help. In Q2 we tried a different front wing but it didn’t improve things.” So with no improvement and there year old car in the Super Aguri guise still beating them you have to wonder, What on earth did they do in the off season to fall so far back. Wait I think I answered my own question. They spent too much time painting the earth on the car rather than making it go quickly. Then arch rivals Toyota have scored points in the first 3 races. Talk about weight of the world...



• Bahrain was a race that showed the old guys can still cut it too. The RB3 finally showed its potential with Coulthard having a good race passing cars and working his way up the field but sadly his drive shaft failed him as he looked on for points. His team mate Mark Webber also retired but not before his car began falling apart. His fuel flap opened up on its own upsetting the aero as his mid wing ripped itself apart a few laps later he finally retired.



• The Mid field looks closer than ever this year. Williams, Toyota, Renault, fighting it out. Add Red Bull and a strong starting Super Aguri to that and it seems the battle for 4th place overall is going to be one to watch this season.

Move of the race: Nick Heidfeld gets this for his move on Alonso. But Coulthards pass on Trulli deserves a mention too.

Chump of the race It has to be Alonso. Though finishing 5th He was outclassed by his rookie team mate all week end and got passed on the outside. Not a good day for the double world champion.