Two drivers started this race with new gearboxes, 14 drivers had new engines in the backs of their cars. Felipe Massa at the end seems to have kept his engine from Malaysia and clearly it did not do him any harm…

Many expected Ferrari to dominate this race, thanks also to their winter test on Bahrain track. Well, this is exactly what has happened. Since Friday Ferraris were the quickest cars, Felipe Massa looked like the man to beat. It did not go all to well for him in qualifying and he had to start from P2. He however took an advantage of problems Kubica was experiencing and lead the race from the start. Kimi Raikkonen lost his position briefly to Heikki Kovalainen. He claimed it back quickly and overtaking of Kubica followed shortly.

Raikkonen lost some time during his first pit stop and from there it was clear that bar some technical problems or accident Ferrari were going to score 1-2 finish and Massa his first win of the season. None of the drivers did anything silly and Ferrari 1-2 it was.

Kubica complained about lots of wheel spin at the race start he lost his P1 quickly to Massa. Nobody apparently told him about oil on the track on lap 2. The whole situation lead to Kimi overtaking him. From then on however Kubica matched the pace of the leading Ferraris for pretty much the rest of the race. Nick Heidfeld overtook Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli and gained to places to finish 4th. This was a very impressive showing from BMW Sauber team. Pole position, third podium in the row and importantly outpacing McLaren … BMW Sauber now lead the constructors table and Nick Heidfeld sits in the 2nd position of drivers standings. It is hard to consider them just lucky after 3 races like this…

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F1Wolf

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First win (and first points) of the season for Felipe Massa, first 1-2 finish for Ferarri (and for anybody) this season, second consecutive podium for Robert Kubica. Race to forget for McLaren …

2008 Bahrain Formula 1 GP Result:

1. F. Massa - Ferrari - 1:31:06.970
2. K. Räikkönen - Ferrari + 3.339
3. R. Kubica - BMW Sauber + 4.998
4. N. Heidfeld - BMW Sauber + 8.409
5. H. Kovalainen - McLaren + 26.789
6. J. Trulli - Toyota + 41.314
7. M. Webber - Red Bull + 45.473
8. N. Rosberg - Williams + 55.889

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F1Wolf

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Join us again for the Live Blog during the Bahrain Grand Prix. The Live Blog will begin half an hour before the race start.

The Live Blog has now closed, you can replay the discussion and comments on this practice session inside the post. Next live blog will be from Bahrain Formula 1 race.

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F1Wolf

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The third race of the 2008 season is here - the sandy Bahrain Grand Prix. Unlike in Malaysia there is not much threat of rain this time. But the slippery dusty sandy track may cause few drivers some problems. Those who think of Massa as a race winner here again may want to reconsider .Some people missed out on round one, some missed out on round two. But the season is long and unpredictable (at least it looks like it now), so there may still be a chance to recover the lost ground. It may not wise though to miss too many more races …

So place your predictions in the comments below this post:
- Top eight finishers in the race
- Pole position
- Fastest lap

The sumary of the rules and current standings - click here
Round 2 results - click here

Do not forget - the predictions must be placed before the qualifying starts.

F1Wolf

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After just missing out in Melbourne, Robert Kubica scored the maiden pole position for himself and the BMW Sauber team this time in Bahrain. Felipe Massa will start alongside him from P2. Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen occupy the second row. Besides the top 3 teams also Toyota (Trulli), Williams (Rosberg), Honda (Button) and Renault (Alonso) made it to Q3. Takuma Sato crashed during P1 causing yellow and red flags.

The Qualifying Results:

1. R. Kubica - BMW Sauber - 1:33.096
2. F. Massa - Ferrari - 1:33.123
3. L. Hamilton - McLaren - 1:33.292
4. K. Räikkönen - Ferrari - 1:33.418
5. H. Kovalainen - McLaren - 1:33.488
6. N. Heidfeld - BMW Sauber - 1:33.737
7. J. Trulli - Toyota - 1:33.994
8. N. Rosberg - Williams - 1:34.015
9. J. Button - Honda - 1:35.057
10. F. Alonso - Renault - 1:35.115

More photos in the article
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F1Wolf

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The Live Blog is back for Bahrain Qualifying session. Follow the session and join the discussion !

he Live Blog has now closed, you can replay the discussion and comments on this practice session inside the post. Next live blog will be from Bahrain Formula 1 race.

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F1Wolf

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Nico Rosberg in Williams confirmed a good form this weekend in the final practice for Bahrain GP. He finished the session 2 tenths ahead of Massa and Webber. It was quiet session for Ferrari, each driver barely managed 3 timed laps… Massa lead the timesheets since his first timed lap. Towards the end however many drivers embarked on quick low fuel runs and the table below is the result. As it is becoming a habit this season, McLarens did not show much pace in P3.:

Saturday Free Practice Times:

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F1Wolf

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Follow the updates from the Third Free Practice session and join the brain behind the liveblogs, Keith from F1Fanatic, the moderators - Duncan from doctorvee, Ollie from BlogF1, John from F1-Pitlane, Arun, Journeyer and F1Wolf - and and big bunch of others in the discussion !

The Live Blog has now closed, you can replay the discussion and comments on this practice session inside the post. Next live blog will be from Bahrain Qualifying.

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F1Wolf

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Ferrari dominated the Friday sessions in Bahrain with Felipe Massa ahead of Kimi Raikkonen both in the morning and in the afternoon. Just before the end of P2 Massa did the best lap of the day, the only lap below 1:32s.

Today was a good day for Williams. Rosberg was 3rd fastest in P1 and 6th in P2, Nakajima not too far behind. The headache of Sepang seems to be over.

McLarens were quite a bit off the pace of Ferrari today. Then in P2, just when the times started to get quicker, Hamilton crashed. He hit the wall pretty hard and damaged the car. He did not get a chance to go for the quick run as most of the other drivers. Hamilton ended the P2 in 4th place, half a second behind Kimi, almost one and half second behind Massa.

Kubica was faster of the 2 BMW Sauber drivers today, significantly faster. Not sure if Heidfeld was experiencing some problems with the car or was simply on different programme.

It looked to be pretty bad day for Renault, especially in P2. Both cars languished around the bottom of time sheets for most of the session. Then they managed to get their act together and Piquet squeezed into top 10. The midfield is however very crowded and there is not much between 8th and 18th …

Same as today, tomorrow you can also follow the action from Bahrain on Live Blog also here on F1Wolf. The Live Blog will be on for Saturday practice and also for qualifying. You can replay Live Blog from Practice 1 and Practice 2 to see what to expect.

2008 Bahrain GP - Friday Times

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F1Wolf

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Follow the updates from the Second Free Practice session and join in the discussion !

The Live Blog has now closed, you can replay the discussion and comments on this practice session inside the post. Next live blog will be from Bahrain Saturday Free Practice.

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F1Wolf

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