2LT National News

Sakhir – Defending world champion Lewis Hamilton took advantage of Ferrari new boy Charles Leclerc’s wretched misfortune on Sunday when he claimed a dramatic victory for Mercedes in the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The five-time champion, who looked to be heading for second behind the 21-year-old Monegasque, gained the lead with 10 laps remaining when Formula One’s new star, who claimed a record-breaking pole position for Ferrari on Saturday, was hit by engine problems.

As he slowed, Hamilton hunted him down to claim his first win of the season, his third at the Bahrain International Circuit and the 74th of his career ahead of his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas, who won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Leclerc came home third as the race finished behind a Safety Car, following the spectacular late exit of both Renaults at Turn Two, ahead of Max Verstappen of Red Bull.

“It happens,” said a calm Leclerc afterwards. “It’s part of motor sport. It’s a very hard one to take, but I am sure we will come back stronger.”

Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel finished fifth in the second Ferrari, after a late spin had damaged his front wing during a duel with Hamilton, ahead of British rookie Lando Norris who scored his first points for McLaren in sixth.

Kimi Raikkonen, 39, was seventh for Alfa Romeo ahead of Pierre Gasly of Red Bull, Thailand’s rookie Alex Albon of Toro Rosso, who also had his first points finish, and Mexican Sergio Perez of Racing Line.

“That was extremely unfortunate for Charles, he drove a great race,” said Hamilton, on the team radio.

“We’ve got work to do to keep these guys off our tails. It must be devastating for Charles.”

It was Leclerc’s first podium finish in F1 and he also scored a point for fastest lap.

Bottas stayed on top in the drivers championship, one point ahead of Hamilton.

“That was extremely unfortunate for Charles, he drove a great race,” Hamilton said over the radio.

“We’ve got work to do to keep these guys off our tails.”

Bahrain Grand Prix results on Sunday:

1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1hr 34min 21.836sec, 2. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) at 2.980, 3. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 6.131, 4. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull-Honda) 6.408, 5. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 36.068, 6. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Renault) 45.754, 7. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN/Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari) 47.470, 8. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Red Bull-Honda) 58.094, 9. Alexander Albon (THA/Toro Rosso-Honda) 1:02.697, 10. Sergio Perez (MEX/SportPesa Racing Point-Mercedes) 1:03.696, 11. Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA/Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari) 1:04.599, 12. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso-Honda) 1 lap, 13. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) 1 lap, 14. Lance Stroll (CAN/SportPesa Racing Point-Mercedes) 1 lap, 15. George Russell (GBR/Williams-Mercedes) 1 lap, 16. Robert Kubica (POL/Williams-Mercedes) 2 laps, 17. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/McLaren-Renault) 4 laps, 18. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Renault) 4 laps, 19. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Renault) 4 laps

Best lap: Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 1:33.411 on 38th lap

Retirements: Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas-Ferrari), Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/McLaren-Renault), Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Renault), Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Renault)

World championship standings (after two rounds):

Drivers

1. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) 44 pts, 2. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 43, 3. Max Verstappen (NED) 27, 4. Charles Leclerc (MON) 26, 5. Sebastian Vettel (GER) 22, 6. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN) 10, 7. Lando Norris (GBR) 8, 8. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) 8, 9. Nico Hülkenberg (GER) 6, 10. Pierre Gasly (FRA) 4, 11. Lance Stroll (CAN) 2, 12. Alexander Albon (THA) 2, 13. Daniil Kvyat (RUS) 1, 14. Sergio Perez (MEX) 1

Constructors

1. Mercedes 87pts, 2. Ferrari 48, 3. Red Bull-Honda 31, 4. Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari 10, 5. McLaren-Renault 8, 6. Haas-Ferrari 8, 7. Renault 6, 8. Toro Rosso-Honda 3, 9. SportPesa Racing Point-Mercedes 3