Ferrari finishes 1-2 in F1 season opener

SASCHA SCHUERMANN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso hauls his trophy off the podium at the Bahrain international circuit on March 14, 2010.

GERALD DONALDSON

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

BAHRAIN—A one-two finish for Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa kick started the new F1 season in favour of Ferrari on Sunday. Lewis Hamilton was third for McLaren Mercedes.

The leading trio all benefitted from the sudden loss of power caused by an exhaust problem that dropped polesitter Sebastian Vettel to fourth at the finish, after his Red Bull Racing Renault had easily led the first two thirds of the 49-lap race.

Michael Schumacher, making a much-heralded return to racing after a three-year layoff, finished a steady sixth, one place behind his Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg who showed no deference to the 41-year-old seven time world champion.

There were no big surprises in the opening race of the F1 season, which was something of a disappointment given that the regulation change banning refuelling and the arrival of three new teams was expected to produce the unexpected.

Since alcohol is forbidden in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the sweaty trio on the podium swigged and sprayed a fruit juice concoction, which seemed appropriate for a race that lacked fizz but was nonetheless entertaining.

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