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A major update to the Bahrain International Circuit has seen a new section added between the old Turns 4 and 5. Eight new corners have been added in a twisty tight section that has lengthened the track by two-thirds of a mile.

Practice

First practice session of 2010 saw an unlikely victor in the shape of Force India’s Adrian Sutil. The majority of cars ran different programs in an attempt to learn as much as possible with the new rules.

Nico Rosberg was impressive in the second practice session dominating for Mercedes GP, while Alonso set the pace in final Saturday Practice. However it was not all roses for new team HRT who could not get Karun Chandhok's car working in time to compete in any of the practice sessions.

Qualification

It was a closely fought session with the Ferraris of Alonso and Massa looking strong, but it was Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel who sensationally stole the first pole position of 2010. Disappointing session for reigning champion Jenson Button who lined-up down in 8th. Although setting the slowest time Karun Chandhok managed to get his first few laps in F1 as he qualified 24th for the race.

Race

The opening race of 2010 got underway with Vettel leading away from pole, while Alonso managed to pass his teammate Massa at Turn 1. There was contact between both Force Indias and a spin for Renault’s Robert Kubica after the drivers were off put by Webber’s Red Bull, which let out a massive plume of smoke.

After dropping to be back Robert Kubica provided the majority of the overtaking as he fought his way back through the field. At the front Vettel looked imperious as he led comfortably from Alonso and Massa. The first round of stops (and only pit stops) saw Hamilton pass Rosberg after the young German had pipped him off the line. Button also got past Webber at the stops, while Vettel was the fastest and still retained a good lead; it looked as though he was heading for a comfortable win.

However Vettel’s RB6 developed a cracked exhaust and lost power. The Ferraris soon passed the German and scampered off into the distance. Vettel obviously struggling managed to keep his car going, however Lewis Hamilton soon caught and passed him for 3rd.

Alonso pulled out a gap to Massa and took a comfortable debut win driving for Ferrari. Massa came in 2nd to make it a 1-2 finish for the Scuderia, while Hamilton took the final podium position. Although Rosberg was able to close up on the struggling Vettel, the Red Bull driver managed to hold on to 4th. Michael Schumacher had a fairly low-key return to F1 and collected 6th. Jenson Button finished a lowly 7th and Mark Webber 8th. The final points went to Liuzzi and Barrichello after both had solid drives.

As for the new teams that started only the Lotus of Heikki Kovalainen finished the race in 15th. Both Virgins suffered mechanical problems and although looking fast they dropped out of the race. HRT’s Karun Chandhok was the only new driver to crash out.

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