Defending world champion Lewis Hamilton took advantage of Ferrari new boy Charles Leclerc’s wretched misfortune yesterday 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 Mercedes teammate 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 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.
His finish made him the first Monegasque driver to take a podium since Louis Chiron in the 1950 Monaco Grand Prix.
“You drove brilliantly, really great, this weekend – you have a long future ahead,” Hamilton told Leclerc.
“As a team, we got lucky today,” said Bottas.
RESULTS (top 10)
1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1:34:21.836
2. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) +2.980
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +6.131
4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +6.408
5. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) +36.068
6. Lando Norris (McLaren) +45.754
7. Kimi Räikkönen (Alfa Romeo) +47.470
8. Pierre Gasly (Red Bull) +58.094
9. Alexander Albon (Toro Rosso) +1:02.697
10. Sergio Pérez (Racing Point) +1:03.696
Best lap: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 1:33.411 on 38th lap
Race-winning Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton (left) applauds as Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc lifts his third place trophy yesterday. (AFP)
