2007 BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX
Fernando Alonso MP4-22 0 1
Lewis Hamilton MP4-22 0 5
T-car (Fernando) MP4-22 0 3
 Vodafone
McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton finished second in
today’s Bahrain Grand Prix whilst Fernando Alonso ended
up fifth after struggling with the balance of his car throughout
the race. In only his third Formula 1 race, Lewis finished
on the podium for the third consecutive time. Both drivers
were on two-stop strategies with Lewis pitting on laps 19
(9.9 seconds) and 44 (7.1 seconds) whilst Fernando pitted
on laps 22 (8.4 seconds) and 43 (6.6 seconds). The Spaniard,
winner of the last race in Malaysia, leads the Drivers’
Championship with 22 points; Lewis and Kimi who finished third
today, are both also on 22 points. In the Constructors' Championship
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes are leading with 44 points.
LEWIS HAMILTON
"I’m very pleased with today’s result. To
have finished on the podium three times out of three is fantastic.
We have definitely closed the gap to Ferrari and I know everybody
will continue to push hard to improve even more in time for
the Spanish Grand Prix. I was able to keep up with Felipe
in the first stint but I really struggled with the balance
of the car in the second. I had a lot of under steer and wasn’t
able to brake as late as I would have liked. However after
the second pitstop when I changed to hard tyres I was able
to push again. I really enjoyed the race today and with a
few more laps I might have been able to challenge Felipe for
the lead."
FERNANDO ALONSO
"In a way I feel happy as we came away with four points
and still leading the championship which is what is important.
This was not a great race for me but these things happen.
I was struggling for pace and overall grip which means that
you can’t drive the car as well as you would like. You
always start the race believing you can win but after six
or seven laps I knew that it would be tough. I couldn’t
keep up with the Ferraris and Lewis and in the end had to
settle for fifth. I was close to Heidfeld in the end but there
was nothing I could do. We now look forward to the next couple
of weeks where we will all work hard to further improve the
car in time for my home grand prix in Barcelona."
RON DENNIS
"Even though it was not a perfect day we can leave Bahrain
leading both Championships which is a great achievement for
the team. Fernando struggled a bit with the balance of his
car and we never really managed to perfect his set-up. Lewis
was more comfortable with his car and had a great race. Our
intensive R&D programme will now change up a gear and
hopefully deliver a performance step that will make us even
more competitive at the Spanish Grand Prix and of course we
are already looking forward to the start of the European season
in Barcelona."
NORBERT HAUG
"Fernando is leading the Drivers’ Championship
with 22 points, Lewis having had three races and three podium
finishes and the team retaining the lead in the Constructors’
Championship it is a very good start to the season. We will
all now be working hard to be the best prepared team at the
start of the European season in four weeks time in Barcelona."
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