Lewis Hamilton wins crash-marred Bahrain Grand Prix

MANAMA – Lewis Hamilton won the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix for Mercedes on Sunday after French driver Romain Grosjean were built with a miraculous avoid a fiery first-lap crash that ripped his car in 2.

The win, from pole position, was the 95th of seven-time world champion Hamilton’s career and included the safety car leading the field to the checkered flag.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen finished second with Thai teammate Alexander Albon completing the podium in the floodlit race at Sakhir after inheriting third place from Racing Point’s Sergio Perez who a break down blown engine three laps from the end.

Hamilton, who clinched the title in Turkey two weeks ago, has won the last five races and 11 of the 15 so far this season.

The race round the floodlit Sakhir track was halted seconds after the start when Grosjean's Haas was ripped in two and engulfed in flames because it speared through protective barriers following connection with the AlphaTauri of Daniil Kvyat.

The Frenchman, who were able to free himself in the wreckage and jump clear, was come to a nearby hospital with minor burns and suspected broken ribs.

He was voted 'Driver from the Day' by fans.

The race was halted for an hour and Twenty minutes as track workers repaired the barriers.

Drama ensued immediately in the restart when Lance Stroll's Racing Point was flipped upside down after connection with Kvyat. The Canadian climbed out unscathed and also the safety car was deployed so his car might be removed.

The race settled into a procession if this eventually resumed for good, with Hamilton unchallenged on his method to his fourth win in Bahrain.

Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz took fourth and fifth for McLaren, allowing the Woking-based squad to vault into third in the overall team standings ahead of Racing Point, with Pierre Gasly sixth for AlphaTauri.

Daniel Ricciardo was seventh for Renault ahead of the Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas, who designed a poor start after which suffered a puncture in another nightmare weekend for that Finn.

Esteban Ocon was ninth within the other Renault with Charles Leclerc, who earned the ire of Ferrari teammate Sebastian Vettel after making an opportunistic move on him, rounding out the top ten.