Michael Schumacher claims Bahraini win
Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher claimed his third victory of the season after, once more, a dominating performance at the inaugural Bahraini Grand Prix.The German’s rivals were left speechless as he disappeared into the distance from the starting grid. Despite a minor problem during a pitstip for Barrichello which cost him about 5 secs, there was no competitior strong enough for both Ferrari's
Apart from the Ferrari's that everyone expected, it was again Jenson Button who managed to clinch a second successive podium. He was however quite lucky to be there, as 15 laps from the finish, no one would have given money for him. Montoya had been driving on a lonely third for the whole race, but got problems 12 laps from the end. The Columbian was able to complete his race, but fell back to 13th, lapping 10 seconds slower than any other competitor.
The problems proved a godsend for Jaguar in particular as Mark Webber passed the Colombian on the final lap to secure eighth position.
Ahead of the Australian was Ralf Schumacher (Williams), Fernando Alonso (Renault), Takuma Sato (BAR) and Jarno Trulli (Renault).
McLaren hit a new low when both their drivers retired from the event. Kimi Raikkonen suffered his second engine failure of the weekend after a mere 10 laps, seeing his engine go up in spectacular flames. David Coulthard came to a halt at the pit lane 7 laps before the end of the race.
1. M.SCHUMACHER Ferrari B 1h28'34"875 208.976 Km/h
2. BARRICHELLO Ferrari B + 0'01"367 208.923 Km/h
3. BUTTON BAR Honda M + 0'26"687 207.932 Km/h
4. TRULLI Renault M + 0'32"214 207.717 Km/h
5. SATO BAR Honda M + 0'52"460 206.934 Km/h
6. ALONSO Renault M + 0'53"156 206.907 Km/h
7. R.SCHUMACHER Williams BMW M + 0'58"155 206.714 Km/h
8. WEBBER Jaguar Cosworth M 1 lap(s)
9. PANIS Toyota M 1 lap(s)
10. DA MATTA Toyota M 1 lap(s)
11. FISICHELLA Sauber Petronas B 1 lap(s)
12. MASSA Sauber Petronas B 1 lap(s)
13. MONTOYA Williams BMW M 1 lap(s)
14. KLIEN Jaguar Cosworth M 1 lap(s)
15. HEIDFELD Jordan Ford B 1 lap(s)
16. PANTANO Jordan Ford B 2 lap(s)
17. BRUNI Minardi Cosworth B 5 lap(s)
18. COULTHARD McLaren Mercedes M 7 lap(s)
19. BAUMGARTNER Minardi Cosworth B 13 lap(s)
20. RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes M 50 lap(s)
