Bahrain Grand Prix race results: Engine trouble costs Charles Leclerc victory as Lewis Hamilton wins

Alex Fisher

Bahrain Grand Prix race results: Engine trouble costs Charles Leclerc victory as Lewis Hamilton wins image

Charles Leclerc's dream of a first Formula One win evaporated with 11 laps left in Bahrain as his Ferrari suffered engine trouble, handing Lewis Hamilton an unexpected race win.

Leclerc had become the second youngest pole-sitter on Saturday and after overcoming a nervous start that briefly saw him drop to third, he was on course to claim victory in Sakhir.

However, he suffered engine problems in the closing stages of the race as his Ferrari struggled to create enough power to stay in front.

Leclerc then had to watch Hamilton and Australia winner Valtteri Bottas sail past him but he clung on to a first podium of his fledgling career - albeit thanks to a safety car.

MORE: Everything you need to know about the 2019 Formula 1 season

Red Bull's Max Verstappen was fourth, with Sebastian Vettel having to settle for fifth after suffering damage as a result of a tussle with Hamilton.

Leclerc's dramatic day began with team-mate Vettel getting to the first corner before him, before dropping to third when Bottas also surged through, but the youngster battled back and retook the lead with the help of the three DRS zones in Bahrain.

Vettel had dropped back after his first pit stop but by the midway stage he was safely into second place, seemingly handing Ferrari total control.

It was not to be, though, as Vettel's untimely spin when battling Hamilton cost him his front wing and a podium place.

All did not seem lost for Ferrari with Leclerc ahead, but his heart-breaking problem completed a miserable day for the Italian team - the pit wall unable to resolve the issue.

Ferrari had hoped Leclerc could hold on for second but Bottas was able to usurp him and seal a second one-two of the season for Mercedes.

Victory sees the Silver Arrows open up a healthy lead in the constructors' championship, and become the first team since McLaren in 1998 to start a campaign so dominantly.

LECLERC GRABS A BONUS

Leclerc swiftly put his sloppy start behind him and found the rhythm that had seen him top two practice sessions and all three parts of qualifying.

And while he did not secure a race win, the 21-year-old grabbed a bonus point for the fastest lap to add to his 15 for finishing third.

He stopped the clock after one minute 33.411 seconds on lap 39, a time no-one else was able to eclipse.


"I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS GUY"

Carlos Sainz showed good early pace and got up to sixth but a collision with his former team-mate Verstappen on lap four saw the Spaniard drop down the order with a puncture.

Verstappen defended resolutely to hold onto fifth, but it ended Sainz's chances of a points finish for McLaren.

"I cannot believe this guy," Sainz said over team radio, but Verstappen avoided any punishment from the stewards.

HEARTBREAK FOR HULKENBERG

After a disappointing qualifying that saw Nico Hulkenberg start Sunday's race 17th, the German looked on for a sensational result as he charged into sixth place in the latter stages.

A failed engine cost him on lap 53 as he was forced to retire, and 30 seconds later team-mate Daniel Ricciardo had a similar issue to end a miserable day for Renault. 

Lando Norris was the beneficiary as he claimed sixth for McLaren, his first F1 points.

2019 BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX

RACE RESULTS

Pos Driver Car Margin
1st Lewis Hamilton Mercedes  
2nd Valtteri Bottas Mercedes +2.980
3rd Charles Leclerc Ferrari +6.131
4th Max Verstappen Red Bull +6.408
5th Sebastian Vettel Ferrari +36.068
6th Lando Norris McLaren +45.754
7th Kimi Raikkonen Alfa Romeo +47.470
8th Pierre Gasly Red Bull +58.094
9th Alex Albon Toro Rosso +1:02.697
10th Sergio Perez Racing Point +1:03.696
11th Antonio Giovinazzi Alfa Romeo +1 LAP
12th Daniil Kvyat Toro Rosso +1 LAP
13th Kevin Magnussen Haas +1 LAP
14th Lance Stroll Racing Point +1 LAP
15th George Russell Williams +1 LAP
16th Robert Kubica Williams +2 LAPS
DNF Nico Hulkenberg Renault  
DNF Daniel Ricciardo Renault  
DNF Carlos Sainz McLaren  
DNF Romain Grosjean Haas  

Alex Fisher