Lights, Camera, Action!

Lewis Hamilton wins the Bahrain Grand Prix after Formula One puts on a show to the world in one of the most intense and electrifying races in recent years.

Race winner Hamilton celebrating with his team in the garage post-race.

The Brit commented after Qualifying that the gap between the two would be reduced as Rosberg had learnt a lot from Malaysia, and he wasn't wrong as they battled it out in a series of wheel-to-wheel racing throughout which excited the crowds but had the Mercedes team's hearts firmly in their mouths.

Underneath the 5,000 lights of the Bahrain International Circuit above the night sky made conditions somewhat easier on the drivers; improving tyre wear because of the cooler temperature. But that would not stop them having to use energy saving mode to be able to run until the end on the 100kg allowance of fuel teams are restricted to.

Hamilton and Rosberg both got away well, but it was Lewis who led into the first corner, dedicated to Michael Schumacher after his skiing accident at the end of 2013, and nearly coming together at Turn 4. William's Felipe Massa made an incredible start; weaving in front of Raikkonen and Alonso to go from 7th to 3rd.

Incidents were aplenty early on; Torro Rosso's Jean-Eric Verne sustained a right rear puncture at Turn 1 and Kimi Raikkonen was hit by young Dane Kevin Magnussen.

High-profile advocates to change the regulations imposed for this season were in attendance; FIA president Jean Todt and Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo watched on as Fernando Alonso's Ferrari was easily overtaken by Nico Hulkenberg; Montezemolo in particular expressing his disgust as his Scuderia shows no signs yet of challenging to where there legacy should enable them to be- at the top. 

Adrain Sutil and Jules Bianchi had a collison on Lap 16, damaging Sutil's left rear tyre. Further up the running, Daniel Ricciardo was allowed over team radio to overtake his 4-time World Champion teammate, whose rear tyres were starting to wear, in order to have a better chance to catch the cars ahead.

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg at Turn 1

35 seconds ahead of 3rd place Bottas, Hamilton and Rosberg fought for the lead, and after Rosberg went ahead of Hamilton for a fraction until Lewis sharply undercut him on the exit, veering left forcing Nico to pull out to avoid his front wing being damaged. The fashion in which Hamilton overtook him annoyed the German, venting over his team radio, ''Warm him that's not on.'

Half way through the 57 lap distance, Williams and Force India were having an excellent race, locking out 3rd to 6th. Again, displaying the power of Mercedes V6 1.6 litre engine.

Esteban Gutierrez thankfully unhurt after this incident.

Then saw a dramatic and worrying moment lap 41 as Esteban Gutierrez's Sauber flipped in the air, landing forcefully on the top of the air box taking the on-board camera clean off, before rolling back upright. The impact happened at Turn 1 with Pastor Maldonado who was leaving the pits, hitting him side-on. Luckily, Esteban walked away unhurt but was taken to a medical facility for precaution.

With the Safety Car called out, it reduced the gap the Mercedes had made from the others. But, as soon as it was called back into the pits after 5 laps, the silver arrows pulled away- going 3 seconds faster than 3rd place man Sergio Perez who was displaying the form which saw former CEO of Mclaren Martin Whitmarsh bring him over from Sauber last season.

Retiring from the race included Marcus Ericcson and both Mclaren's; a disappointing way to end Jenson Button's 250th Grand Prix.
At the front the action and tension increased as Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton raced hard, switching back and forth between the two. Paddy Lowe, Executive Technical Director, tried to avoid both his drivers taking each other off by cooling them down on the radio reiterating to bring the cars home safe.

On the podium. (Aldo Costa- Engineering Director between Lewis and Nico.)

Lewis Hamilton was able to fend of Rosberg who was on the Option tyre, matching Fangio's 24 F1 wins and winning for the first time in Bahrain as fireworks lit up the sky.
Rosberg finished second who still leads the Driver's Championship, with Sergio Perez getting himself on the podium in 3rd, that could very well be the start of more top 3 finishes.

Pastor Maldonado will receive a 5 place grid penalty for the next race at China for T-Boning Marcus Ericsson; which seems unjust when Daniel Ricciardo was handed a 10 place grid penalty for an unsafe pit release. The Stewards reprimands must clearly reflect the seriousness of the actions- especially when it risks the lives of drivers.

Below is the full results of The Bahrain Grand Prix:

1) #44 Lewis Hamilton- Mercedes
2) #6 Nico Rosberg- Mercedes
3) #11 Sergio Perez- Force India-Mercedes
4) #3 Daniel Ricciardo- Red Bull Racing-Renault
5) #27 Nico Hulkenberg- Force India-Mercedes
6) #1 Sebastian Vettel-Red Bull Racing-Renault
7) #19 Felipe Massa- Williams-Mercedes
8) #77 Valterri Botta- Williams-Mercedes
9) #14 Fernando Alonso- Ferrari
10) #7 Kimi Raikkonen- Ferrari
11) #26 Daniil Kvyat- Torro Rosso-Renault
12) #7 Romain Grosjean- Lotus-Renault
13) #4 Max Chilton- Marussia-Ferrari
14) #13 Pastor Maldonado- Lotus-Renault
15) #10 Kamui Kobayashi- Caterham-Reanult
16) #17 Jules Bianchi- Marussia-Ferrari
RET) #22 Jenson Button- Mclaren-Mercedes
RET) #20 Kevin Magnussen- Mclaren-Mercedes
RET) #21 Esteban Gutierrez- Sauber-Ferrari
RET) #9 Marcus Ericsson- Caterham-Renault
RET) #25 Jean-Eric Vergne- Torro Rosso-Renault
RET) #99 Adrian Sutil- Sauber-Ferrari