Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix.Credit:AP
Manama: Five times world champion Lewis Hamilton has won the Bahrain Grand Prix for Mercedes after engine trouble dashed Charles Leclerc's hopes of a first Formula One victory in only his second race for Ferrari.
Leclerc, who started on pole position for the first time on Sunday, was leading when he lost power with 10 laps to go. He finished third with an extra point for the fastest lap.
The Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix gets under way in Sakhir on Sunday.Credit:AP
Valtteri Bottas, winner of the opener in Australia, took second place to stay top of the championship standings.
Advertisement
The race finished behind the safety car after the Renaults of Australian Daniel Ricciardo and German Nico Hulkenberg stopped on the track.
"That was extremely unfortunate for Charles,” said Hamilton as he crossed the line.
"He drove such a great race. Weve got work to do to keep these guys off our tails,” added the Briton, who hugged Leclerc after they stepped out of their cars.
Leclercs problems capped an already difficult day for Ferrari, who had swept the front row in qualifying, with Sebastian Vettels race having already unravelled.
The German, who finished fifth, spun while defending second place from Hamilton and then lost his front wing in a spectacular shower of sparks.
The only consolation for Leclerc, on the podium for the first time in his F1 career, was an extra point for setting the fastest lap of the race.
"It's a very hard one to take,” said the youngster. "It's a shame to only finish third, but it's part of racing and we'll comeRead More – Source
[contf] [contfnew] 
Australian Breaking News Headlines
[contfnewc] [contfnewc]
