Nico Rosberg made it two F1 wins out of a possible two in 2016 as he stormed to victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Ferrari’s Vettel was forced to withdraw on the pre-race formation lap with smoke billowing from his engine. Rosberg’s Mercedes teammate Hamilton, meanwhile, stuttered from pole position on the grid before colliding with Valtteri Bottas of Williams at turn one. Vettel’s Ferrari teammate, Kimi Raikkonen, finished second 10.2 seconds behind Rosberg while Hamilton would battle back to finish third.
Hamilton is now second in the driver’s title race, 17 points behind Rosberg who has a maximum 50 points. Three-time world champion, Hamilton, remains nine points clear of Daniel Ricciardo who lies third in the overall standings. Red Bull’s Ricciardo finished fourth in Bahrain Sunday, one place ahead of Romain Grosjean of the American Haas team.
RESULTS — Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix (57 laps)
1. Nico Rosberg, Germany, Mercedes
2. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Ferrari
3. Lewis Hamilton, England, Mercedes
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Red Bull
5. Romain Grosjean, France, Haas
6. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Toro Rosso
7. Daniil Kvyat, Russia, Red Bull
8. Felipe Massa, Brazil, Williams
9. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Williams
10. Stoffel Vandoorne, Belgium, McLaren