Vettel’s victory in Bahrain ‘flawless’

Sebastian Vettel summed up his 28th victory in Formula One as “flawless, seamless” and “pretty dominant”.

It was all too easy for Vettel in yesterday’s Bahrain Grand Prix as the reigning three-time champion took the chequered flag for the second successive occasion at this race. Once Vettel passed pole-sitter Nico Rosberg on the third lap, as the Mercedes driver had done all he could in holding onto his advantage from the start, there was only going to be one winner.

Regaining the lead from lap 14 after the first round of pit stops, it reached a point that after 25 laps, and with a 22-second cushion to Lotus’ Romain Grosjean, Vettel was able to pit and still retain top spot. After repeating the feat on lap 42 at his third and final stop, it was then a coast to the line for the 26-year-old who now has a 10-point cushion over Raikkonen after the first four races.

“I knew it was crucial straight away after the start to get into the lead if I could and then go from there,” said Vettel.

“The pace was phenomenal – we surely did not expect that – the car was very quick and it just started to get better and better towards the end when it was quite controlled.

“It was really a beautiful race, flawless, seamless, where you could push every single lap. We took care of the tyres, so overall I’m very happy, and we’re in a good position in the championship.”

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was equally effusive about what was an emphatic performance from Vettel, whilst all behind him were scrapping furiously over the remaining places.

Horner said: “It was an absolutely impeccable drive from Sebastian.

“He executed two brilliant overtakes, one on Fernando [Alonso] and the other on Nico, after which he dominated the race until the finish and managed his tyres brilliantly.

“The strategy worked perfectly with the tyres that we conserved in qualifying, which ended with a dominant win on a three-stop strategy.”

Meanwhile Paul Di Resta is adamant an elusive podium finish “will come soon enough” after coming within a whisker of a top-three place for the first time in his career.

For long periods of the Grand Prix it appeared that, in his 43rd race for Force India, Di Resta would finally end his podium drought. After starting a career-high fifth on the grid, the Scot even held the lead for four laps early in the race as the first round of pit stops unfolded.

Di Resta was never going to challenge for the win but he adopted a two-stop strategy, and after taking on fresh rubber for the second time,was certainly on course for third.

Lotus’ Romain Grosjean, however, spoiled the party as the Frenchman reeled in Di Resta and passed him on lap 52 of the 57 at the end of which there was just a 2.2secs gap between the duo.

Despite coming so near yet so far, Di Resta said: “I’ve got to be very happy with it.

“You always want to get on the podium, but it will come soon enough.

“Looking at every session over the weekend, we have performed 100 per cent and given the maximum we could have done, ticking all the boxes, and credit to all the boys who have worked so hard.

“When you can beat the likes of McLaren, the Ferraris, pick up on their misfortunes, it’s a big day.”

With 20 points to his name after the first four races, it is the best start Di Resta has made to a season heading into the European rounds.

“We have to take a great amount of credit and positivity from the first four grands prix,” added Di Resta.