Sebastian Vettel takes the podium at Bahrain

It was a very subdued event at the 2012 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. No victory laps and no parades (due to the current political climate in Bahrain). But that didn't mean the on track action was subdued. It was anything but. Defending World Champion Sebastian Vettel won after a superb drive taking first place away from the Lotus twins of Iceman Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean, who showed that Lotus can fight with and beat the big dogs in Formula 1. Red Bull Racing's and Vettel's teammate Mark Webber took fourth place followed by Mercedes' Nico Rosberg.

Force India's Paul di Resta came in fifth place after an impressive drive and bold 2 pit stop strategy. Most of the others opted for a 3 stop strategy owing to the track conditions (heat and dust). Ferrari's Fernando Alonso came in behind di Resta followed by McLaren's Lewis Hamilton who lost a possible podium position due to a couple of shoddy pitstops. His teammate Jenson Button was running in 6th place but had to retire on the penultimate lap due a broken exhaust. How is that for bad luck? Felipe Massa finished in 9th place followed by Michael Schumacher who after an amazing drive managed to get into the top 10 after starting the race in 22nd position!

Formula 1 heads to Europe next for the 2012 Grand Premio De Espana Santander at Calalunya, Spain to be held from 11th to 13th May.