Image source, Getty Images

It's advantage Sebastian Vettel after three races but you get the feeling this season is going to see plenty of twists and turns. 

On to Russia next, where Lewis Hamilton has won two of the three races. If there is one thing you can guarantee about the Briton it is that he comes back more determined than ever after a setback.

See you in two weeks!

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Bahrain

Sainz gets a drop of three grid positions in Russia for causing the Stroll crash. That'll teach me to tweet before seeing all replays.

Fernando Alonso's radio was great entertainment today, although I'm not sure he will find it all as funny as we did.

He failed to finish the race for the third time this season.

"We push every single lap," Alonso wrote on Instagram. "Didn't have the pace to be in the points today. Let's hope for a better race in Russia."

Will Ferrari have Mercedes worried?

Eleven out of the 12 Bahrain GP winners prior to this year have been from the team that ended up winning the constructors' title that season. 

The exception was Fernando Alonso for Ferrari in 2010.  

Image source, Getty Images

Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who did not finish the race: "I had a brake failure on the rear - the car was performing a lot better and we did the undercut on the two Mercedes so could have taken seconds place. We lost a lot of points today". 

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, who finished fifth: "At the beginning of the race I genuinely thought we had a chance in this race - it looked like Valtteri was struggling in front of me and I was looking after my tyres. But then with the safety car came out and we switched to the softs and they never 'switched on' as we say. 

"I really struggled with that restart - that soft tyre never came good for us as it didn't in China. I was on Massa's pace today and we know we are quicker than that.

"It's obviously frustrating that the softs are not working with us. Obviously you could look at the Mercedes and the Ferraris - they have a lot more downforce than us so the softs work for them but it highlighted our problem and it's something we can now address".

Shaheed Williams: Ferrari have the better race pace, Seb was managing the race. Mercedes Quali engine mode is what makes them better in Quali.  

Babatunde Sakiru: After the departure of Paddy Lowe, Mercedes are struggling with their strategy. Efficient reaction needed.

Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas has just been speaking during the driver's press conference. 

He was asked how he felt when he was asked to move out of the way for team mate Lewis Hamilton... 

"As a racing driver it's the worst thing you can hear but I did it because I knew it could have potentially helped the team. But personally it was tough - I don't know why but I just didn't have the pace today."

Sebastian Vettel is the first Ferrari driver since Michael Schumacher to win at least two of the first three races.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff speaking to Sky Sports F1: "We had a problem with the generator and couldn't bleed Valtteri's tyres and therefore we were a few PSI too high and then couldn't get the pace back again. 

"You try not to interfere with the race but sometimes you have to make a call that is not a nice one for one of the drivers. 

"You sometimes have to choose between losing the race or making a call that isn't nice potentially winning the race. 

"I don't want to even discuss the title fight because we are only three races down and I don't want to make that call yet. I am not going to answer that! I have only just finished the race - let me off the hook!"

Sebastian Vettel's wins in Australia and now Bahrain means he has the advantage in the title race. 

It is certainly looking like a battle between himself and Lewis Hamilton for the world championship, and what a battle it is shaping up to be.

Poor Stoffel...

The McLaren driver had time to get out his race gear and head to the gym after his car failed to make the starting grid.

Final word from Sebastian Vettel, including a terrible attempt at shoehorning an Easter pun in there.

"It is a long year," he said. "I am really enjoying it - the car is a pleasure. I was a bit down yesterday after qualifying because the gap was so big but something inside me told me we have a good car. The Easter hunt was on and we found some good eggs.

"I have been reasonably successful here the last couple of years. I love the trophy because it is beautiful."

Image source, Getty Images

Third placed Valtteri Bottas: "It was really tricky race today. I struggled with the pace all through the race. I was limited and was out of tools on the steering wheel and I was oversteering all through the race and that's why they pace was slow. 

"But it was the best weekend for me so far and I think there is a lot more to come from me with this team."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, F1.com

Lewis Hamilton, who finished second: "Congratulations to Seb. The pitlane was my fault and apologies to the team. I tried my hardest to catch up. We will push hard together, keep fighting.

"Losing points for the team is definitely painful but it is what it is. I am getting old!"

Image source, F1.com

Race winner Sebastian Vettel: It was a really great day. It was the last half of the out lap when all the fireworks werre going off I was like. "I love what I do". 

It was a great team effort today and I felt like we are quick. I tried to put Valtteri under pressure. But the early pit stop worked.  

When the safety car came I was like "not again!" I thought we would have lost the advantage but I had a good feeling yesterday. Lewis was obviously a threat again towards the end but the car was a dream today. 

A marshal is having the time of his life revving a motorbike on the start-finish straight. Only problem is it is almost drowning out the podium interviews!

Image source, Getty Images

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff on Radio 5 live: We knew from the outset we were going to have problems with Valtteri but we didn't know we were not going to be able to recover it.