Vettel takes chequered flag in controversial but incidents-free Bahrain Grand Prix

Monday, 23 April 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sebastian Vettel became the fourth different winner of a grand prix this year by taking the chequered flag in Bahrain.

Not since 2006 has F1 witnessed such a start to a campaign, with the reigning world champion claiming his 22nd career victory. Behind the German, Lotus enjoyed their best race of the season as Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean joined Vettel on the podium.

It was a disastrous race for McLaren, though, with Lewis Hamilton eighth after two pit-stop issues, whilst Jenson Button retired a lap from home.

It was a race, though, many felt should never have taken place, not given the unrest in the Gulf island in the build-up, and the escalation in demonstrations that have occurred this week.

So to have reached the chequered flag will be seen as a triumph of sorts for the ruling al-Khalifa royal family and King Hamad, against whom many of the protests are being staged. In the end the race itself passed peacefully, despite rumours leading opposition party al-Wefaq had purchased tickets and had planned a protest inside the track. In front of a half-full main grandstand, and with every other stand empty, polesitter Vettel crushed his rivals after starting at the front for the 31st time in his career.

Alongside him on the grid Hamilton had no answer, and although he managed to hold second in the opening stages, that was soon given up to Grosjean at the start of lap seven. Nico Rosberg grabbed fifth, although could lose that as stewards are to investigate two dangerous moves, swerving violently to try and keep Hamilton and Alonso behind him at two different stages