First place Ferrari Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany (C) holds the trophy on the podium with second place Mercedes Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain (L) and third place Mercedes Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland. REUTE
Sakhir, Bahrain: Sebastian Vettel captured his second Formula One season victory thanks to a perfect Ferrari team strategy at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, beating Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton and reclaiming sole possession of the championship lead.
Vettel took the lead from third on the grid thanks to an early pit stop and ahead of a short early safety-car phase owing to a collision, and never looked back as a five-second penalty imposed on Hamilton also helped his cause.
Pole-sitter Valtteri Bottas was twice told by Mercedes to let team-mate Hamilton pass but the Briton was unable to hunt down the German Vettel after a late second pit stop, dpa reported.
Four-time champion Vettel got his 44th career win from Hamilton and Bottas and tops the standings with 68 points from three races, seven clear of Hamilton who has 61 in what promises a thrilling season.
