7 Memorable Moments From The Incredible Bahrain Grand Prix

Image source: Mercedes AMG Petronas

We don't usually associate Bahrain with good F1 racing, but wow. The 2014 Bahrain Grand Prix proved to be one of the most dramatic and action-packed races in recent history. Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg were in a league of their own but battled closely for the lead throughout. However, it was the Brit who crossed the line in first place to win the 900th ever Formula 1 Grand Prix.

It was also the first ever night race in Bahrain, with Mercedes dominating under the floodlights. The fight for third was hotly contested but Sergio Perez held off Daniel Ricciardo to score a well-deserved podium, with Nico Hulkenberg, Sebastian Vettel, Felipe Massa, Valtteri Bottas, Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen completing the top 10. Here are the seven memorable moments from the race:

1. Fight for first

Image source: Mercedes AMG Petronas

Unlike the opening two rounds of the 2014 season, we actually witnessed an incredibly close fight for first place. Hamilton moved ahead of pole-sitter Rosberg at the start and the two battled throughout the first part of the race. The Mercedes team chose to put both cars on different tyre strategies, meaning the gap increased in the middle stint.

However, the appearance of the safety car just prior to their final stops brought Rosberg back into the game. Despite a number of attempts, Hamilton excellently defended to keep hold of the lead and eventually win the race by just over one second. It was a great scrap with some really close, clean and fair racing.

2. Massa's flying start

Despite starting from seventh on the grid, Massa managed to move up to third by the first corner after a lightning getaway from the grid. However, he couldn't maintain his position and slipped to seventh by the chequered flag.

3. Feel the force

Image source: Sahara Force India F1 Team

Prior to the third round of the 2014 season, only once had a Force India driver scored a top three result, with Giancarlo Fisichella's second place finish at the 2009 Belgium Grand Prix. However, Perez changed that by finishing in third place after an impressive and mature drive. It was also the Mexican's first podium since the 2012 Italian Grand Prix.

4. Getting some air

Esteban Gutierrez was involved in a scary accident on lap 41 after he was hit by everyone's favourite F1 villain, Pastor Maldonado. The Lotus driver had just emerged from the pit lane and collided with the Mexican at turn one, pitching him into a violent roll.

After such a big crash, it was great to hear that Gutierrez was okay after being released from hospital following precautionary checks.

5. Naughty drivers

Image source: Lotus F1 Team

Maldonado was given three penalties for causing the crash with Gutierrez. He was handed a 10 second stop/go penalty during the race, before picking up a five-place grid drop for the next race in China and three penalty points on his superlicense afterwards. Jules Bianchi was also punished for crashing with Adrian Sutil. The Marussia driver was given two penalty points on his license.

6. Close battles

Image source: Red Bull/Getty Images

The on-track action certainly wasn't just at the front of the field. There were a number of close and incredibly impressive scraps up and down the field. The fight for third was particularly exciting, with a number of drivers battling for the final position on the podium. Here's hoping for more of the same exciting dices this season...

7. Angry drivers

Image source: Red Bull/Getty Images

A number of drivers vented their frustration over the team radio during the Bahrain Grand Prix. Raikkonen shared his displeasure at being hit by Kevin Magnussen on lap one for the second consecutive race. Meanwhile, Jean-Eric Vergne said "that guy tried to kill me" after contact with - yep, you guessed it - Maldonado at turn one. He added: "Lotus guy, I don't know who it was, absolutely mental."