From pole to flag

World champion Sebastian Vettel celebratedRed Bull’s first victory of the season and went back to the top of thestandings on Sunday after the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.

The German’s sigh of relief on the podiumwas echoed by teams and bosses after the race, scheduled against a backdrop ofanti-government protests and nightly clashes between police firing teargas atpetrol-bomb throwing youths, went ahead without incident and despite criticismfrom some sectors of the international media.

The German was pushed hard in the closinglaps by Finland’s 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen, who had started 11th andfinished second ahead of Lotus team mate Romain Grosjean in the Frenchman’sfirst appearance on the F1 podium.

Raikkonen had the benefit of several setsof fresh tyres for the race, having missed the final phase of qualifying onSaturday, and he made them count on a circuit that delivered an enthrallingrace.

Last year’s race in Bahrain was postponed,rescheduled and finally cancelled as a result of the unrest and on-line pressurefrom anti-government campaigners, and many racing pundits say the 2010 event isremembered mostly for a complete lack of overtaking or excitement.

In that respect Sunday was also not normal.Raikkonen was challenging Vettel from the halfway point, with a first victorysince his last year with Ferrari in 2009 looking a real possibility.

“Given the fact that Kimi found adealership somewhere where he got some new tyres from, which allowed him tostart every new stint on new tyres, it was extremely tough to keep them behindus,” smiled Vettel.

“Once he was very close and I thought hewould get more than just one shot but it turned out to be enough and in the endI was even pulling away a little bit.”

With fuel running low, he was then told topull over and stop immediately at the pit exit – which meant he had to run downthe pit lane to embrace his mechanics although the celebrations were keptcomparatively low-key.

“We were probably surprised by the pace wewent in the race. Obviously these guys were pushing us so we couldn’t afford tolift but it was enough,” said Vettel.

Australian Mark Webber was fourth in theother Red Bull for the fourth successive race with the top four cars allpowered by Renault engines.

Germany’s Nico Rosberg, winner of theprevious race in China in the first victory by a Mercedes works team since1955, finished fifth.

Stewards decided to take no further actionover incidents involving McLaren’s eighth-placed Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’sFernando Alonso, who was incensed at being forced off track and raised a fistin anger. “I can only say that if, instead of such a wide run-off area therehad been a wall, I’m not sure I’d be here now to talk about it,” said theSpaniard.

Britain’s Paul Di Resta was sixth for ForceIndia with Alonso seventh and Brazilian team mate Felipe Massa finally in thepoints in ninth.

Germany’s seven-times champion MichaelSchumacher, who started 22nd after a grid penalty for an unscheduled gearboxchange, was 10th for Mercedes.

McLaren’s Jenson Button retired on thepenultimate lap after struggling with a split exhaust and a puncture afterhaving fifth place in his sights.