Bahrain Grand Prix: Palm trees, petrol and protesters
- Published
After the humidity of Shanghai, the hotter, drier desert air of Bahrain provided a different test for the cars and drivers - not to mention the chance of a sandstorm or two
Bahrain is F1's most contentious race, played out against an annual back-drop of anti-government protests. The 2011 race was cancelled; this year's was largely trouble-free
Felipe Massa was the winner in Bahrain in 2007 and 2008, but struggled with wing and tyre damage, finishing out of the points after starting the weekend brightly with the best time in first practice
It was a different Sergio Perez in Bahrain from the one that has made a cautious start to the season. He was faster, sharper and more aggressive - just ask McLaren team-mate Jenson Button, who was unhappy with the Mexican's driving
Not all the people of Bahrain were happy to see the F1 circus roll into town. F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone admitted that the grand prix gave protesters a focal point for raising their concerns with the government
Tyre wear has been the talking point of the season so far and the heat was always going to make it an even bigger factor in Bahrain
Fernando Alonso ruled the roost in China, but in Bahrain nothing went right for him. He had to pit twice early on and then abandon DRS completely because of a rear wing problem
Mark Webber hasn't had much to celebrate lately, but the Red Bull crew pulled out the stops with a cake to celebrate his 200th grand prix. The Red Bull driver eventually finished seventh at Sakhir
No grand prix would be complete without its grid girls, or in this case flight attendants
Romain Grosjean is congratulated by his Lotus pit crew after bagging a place on the podium for the second year in succession in Bahrain
Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason probably fancied a drive himself in Bahrain - he's owned a few flashy motors over the years and previously competed in the Le Mans 24 hour race
World champion Sebastian Vettel's focus on winning a fourth world title in a row seems to be unshakable, and his second win of the season duly arrived in Bahrain, where he also won in 2012
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