2007 Bahrain Grand Prix: F1 Race, Qualifying & Winners

Felipe Massa put his Malaysian disappointment behind him with victory at the Bahrain International Circuit, holding off Lewis Hamilton to get his title challenge moving. Kimi Räikkönen completed the podium as the championship tightened into a three-way tie at the top.

Result	Driver / Time	Team
Pole position	Felipe Massa	Ferrari
Pole time	1:32.652
Fastest lap	Felipe Massa	Ferrari
Fastest-lap time	1:34.067 on lap 42
First	Felipe Massa	Ferrari
Second	Lewis Hamilton	McLaren
Third	Kimi Räikkönen	Ferrari

Weekend Schedule

Date	Session	Local Time
13 April 2007	Practice 1	10:00
13 April 2007	Practice 2	14:00
14 April 2007	Practice 3	11:00
14 April 2007	Qualifying	14:00
15 April 2007	Race	14:30

All times are local. The race time is the scheduled start; weather delays and interruptions are described below.

Championship background

Fernando Alonso arrived at round 3 leading the 2007 F1 World Championship on 18 points, with Kimi Räikkönen on 16. McLaren headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 32 points.

Race entries

The 11 teams kept the same race line-ups for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Free Practice

Ferrari made a forceful start on a dusty Friday morning, Kimi Räikkönen leading Felipe Massa by more than half a second. The McLarens were the closest opposition but still some distance back, while Vitantonio Liuzzi gave Toro Rosso an encouraging run inside the top ten. Red Bull had a much less convincing session, both cars finishing near the bottom of the order.

The afternoon brought McLaren much closer: Lewis Hamilton finished just 0.013 seconds behind Kimi Räikkönen. Grip remained elusive, and Jenson Button’s Honda suffered a spectacular mechanical failure that scattered oil and debris; Felipe Massa spun on the aftermath. Robert Kubica’s third place added BMW Sauber to the leading mix, although different fuel loads still complicated comparisons.

Lewis Hamilton ended Kimi Räikkönen’s run at the top by six thousandths of a second in final practice. Felipe Massa made a mistake on his quick lap, while Anthony Davidson produced another eye-catching Super Aguri performance to take fifth. With the BMW Saubers also close, the session suggested Ferrari would face a stronger challenge than Friday morning’s times had implied.

Free Practice 1 Classification

2007 Bahrain Grand Prix FP1, 13 April 2007

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	6	Kimi Räikkönen	Ferrari	1:33.162	21
2	5	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	+0.517s	17
3	2	Lewis Hamilton	McLaren	+0.948s	17
4	1	Fernando Alonso	McLaren	+0.999s	15
5	12	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	+1.734s	26
6	9	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	+1.914s	30
7	10	Robert Kubica	BMW Sauber	+2.086s	24
8	18	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Toro Rosso	+2.130s	23
9	16	Nico Rosberg	Williams	+2.213s	19
10	17	Alexander Wurz	Williams	+2.236s	20
11	7	Jenson Button	Honda	+2.283s	24
12	4	Heikki Kovalainen	Renault	+2.312s	21
13	11	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	+2.411s	24
14	3	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	+2.535s	17
15	19	Scott Speed	Toro Rosso	+2.564s	22
16	22	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri	+2.694s	15
17	8	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	+2.749s	20
18	23	Anthony Davidson	Super Aguri	+3.081s	6
19	15	Mark Webber	Red Bull Racing	+3.321s	18
20	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	+3.351s	7
21	20	Adrian Sutil	Spyker	+3.922s	27
22	21	Christijan Albers	Spyker	+5.096s	29

Free Practice 2 Classification

2007 Bahrain Grand Prix FP2, 13 April 2007

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	6	Kimi Räikkönen	Ferrari	1:33.527	33
2	2	Lewis Hamilton	McLaren	+0.013s	33
3	10	Robert Kubica	BMW Sauber	+0.205s	37
4	5	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	+0.245s	28
5	1	Fernando Alonso	McLaren	+0.257s	30
6	17	Alexander Wurz	Williams	+0.446s	26
7	9	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	+0.549s	34
8	16	Nico Rosberg	Williams	+0.662s	34
9	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	+0.832s	32
10	12	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	+0.839s	33
11	8	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	+0.864s	28
12	4	Heikki Kovalainen	Renault	+1.058s	33
13	23	Anthony Davidson	Super Aguri	+1.068s	29
14	15	Mark Webber	Red Bull Racing	+1.150s	24
15	3	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	+1.269s	34
16	22	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri	+1.474s	35
17	18	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Toro Rosso	+1.741s	38
18	11	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	+1.900s	29
19	20	Adrian Sutil	Spyker	+2.055s	31
20	19	Scott Speed	Toro Rosso	+2.160s	34
21	21	Christijan Albers	Spyker	+2.308s	30
22	7	Jenson Button	Honda	+2.552s	19

Free Practice 3 Classification

2007 Bahrain Grand Prix FP3, 14 April 2007

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	2	Lewis Hamilton	McLaren	1:32.543	12
2	6	Kimi Räikkönen	Ferrari	+0.006s	16
3	9	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	+0.109s	15
4	10	Robert Kubica	BMW Sauber	+0.212s	15
5	23	Anthony Davidson	Super Aguri	+0.357s	20
6	5	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	+0.407s	12
7	1	Fernando Alonso	McLaren	+0.692s	11
8	15	Mark Webber	Red Bull Racing	+0.856s	14
9	3	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	+1.059s	17
10	4	Heikki Kovalainen	Renault	+1.062s	21
11	16	Nico Rosberg	Williams	+1.071s	14
12	17	Alexander Wurz	Williams	+1.115s	17
13	18	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Toro Rosso	+1.157s	18
14	12	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	+1.181s	22
15	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	+1.283s	14
16	7	Jenson Button	Honda	+1.480s	20
17	22	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri	+1.539s	21
18	8	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	+1.854s	17
19	19	Scott Speed	Toro Rosso	+2.248s	12
20	11	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	+2.601s	11
21	21	Christijan Albers	Spyker	+2.852s	22
22	20	Adrian Sutil	Spyker	+2.893s	18

Qualifying

Felipe Massa delivered his second consecutive pole, ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who earned a front-row start in only his third Grand Prix. Kimi Räikkönen and Fernando Alonso shared the second row, with Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica lining up together immediately behind them. Ferrari had set the pace through the earlier knockout sessions as well.

A brief shower after morning practice did not prevent a dry qualifying session. David Coulthard suffered gearbox trouble and was eliminated in Q1, while Takuma Sato missed the first cut by just 0.017 seconds. Both Hondas went out in Q2, and Giancarlo Fisichella, Mark Webber, Jarno Trulli and Nico Rosberg completed the final shootout.

Qualifying Classification

2007 Bahrain Grand Prix Qualifying, 14 April 2007

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Laps
1	5	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	1:32.443	1:31.359	1:32.652	16
2	2	Lewis Hamilton	McLaren	1:32.580	1:31.732	1:32.935	16
3	6	Kimi Räikkönen	Ferrari	1:33.161	1:31.812	1:33.131	16
4	1	Fernando Alonso	McLaren	1:33.049	1:32.214	1:33.192	16
5	9	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	1:33.164	1:32.154	1:33.404	17
6	10	Robert Kubica	BMW Sauber	1:33.348	1:32.292	1:33.710	17
7	3	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	1:33.556	1:32.889	1:34.056	22
8	15	Mark Webber	Red Bull Racing	1:33.496	1:32.808	1:34.106	22
9	12	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	1:33.218	1:32.429	1:34.154	22
10	16	Nico Rosberg	Williams	1:33.349	1:32.815	1:34.399	22
11	17	Alexander Wurz	Williams	1:33.759	1:32.915	—	12
12	4	Heikki Kovalainen	Renault	1:33.467	1:32.935	—	12
13	23	Anthony Davidson	Super Aguri	1:33.299	1:33.082	—	12
14	11	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	1:33.923	1:33.294	—	13
15	8	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	1:33.776	1:33.624	—	12
16	7	Jenson Button	Honda	1:33.967	1:33.731	—	14
17	22	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri	1:33.984	—	—	6
18	18	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Toro Rosso	1:34.024	—	—	6
19	19	Scott Speed	Toro Rosso	1:34.333	—	—	6
20	20	Adrian Sutil	Spyker	1:35.280	—	—	8
21	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	1:35.341	—	—	4
22	21	Christijan Albers	Spyker	1:35.533	—	—	7

What happened in the 2007 Bahrain Grand Prix?

Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton held their positions at the start, while Fernando Alonso took third from Kimi Räikkönen. An opening-lap collision involving Jenson Button, Scott Speed and Adrian Sutil brought out the safety car, with Jenson Button and Scott Speed unable to continue. Once racing resumed, Felipe Massa controlled the pace at the front.

Kimi Räikkönen moved back ahead of Fernando Alonso through the first pit-stop sequence, and Nick Heidfeld then overtook the McLaren to take fourth. David Coulthard fought his way forward from the back, but both Red Bulls retired, opening the door for Jarno Trulli and Giancarlo Fisichella to score. Lewis Hamilton kept Felipe Massa within reach without finding a way past.

Felipe Massa crossed the line 2.360 seconds clear of Lewis Hamilton, with Kimi Räikkönen third and Nick Heidfeld fourth. Fernando Alonso finished fifth ahead of Robert Kubica, Jarno Trulli and Giancarlo Fisichella. Lewis Hamilton’s third podium in his first three starts was unprecedented, and he left Bahrain level on 22 points with Fernando Alonso and Kimi Räikkönen.

After the race, Fernando Alonso headed the drivers’ standings with 22 points, followed by Kimi Räikkönen on 22. McLaren led the constructors’ table on 44, with Ferrari on 39.

2007 Bahrain Grand Prix race results

The 2007 Bahrain Grand Prix was held on 15 April 2007, with a scheduled start of 14:30 local time.

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Laps	Time / Retired	Pts.
1	5	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	57	1:33:27.515	10
2	2	Lewis Hamilton	McLaren	57	+2.360	8
3	6	Kimi Räikkönen	Ferrari	57	+10.839	6
4	9	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	57	+13.831	5
5	1	Fernando Alonso	McLaren	57	+14.426	4
6	10	Robert Kubica	BMW Sauber	57	+45.529	3
7	12	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	57	+1:21.371	2
8	3	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	57	+1:21.701	1
9	4	Heikki Kovalainen	Renault	57	+1:29.411	0
10	16	Nico Rosberg	Williams	57	+1:29.916	0
11	17	Alexander Wurz	Williams	56	+1 Lap	0
12	11	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	56	+1 Lap	0
13	8	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	56	+1 Lap	0
14	21	Christijan Albers	Spyker	55	+2 Laps	0
15	20	Adrian Sutil	Spyker	53	+4 Laps	0
16	23	Anthony Davidson	Super Aguri	51	Engine	0
Ret	15	Mark Webber	Red Bull Racing	41	Gearbox	0
Ret	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	36	Driveshaft	0
Ret	22	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri	34	Engine	0
Ret	18	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Toro Rosso	26	Hydraulics	0
Ret	7	Jenson Button	Honda	0	Collision	0
Ret	19	Scott Speed	Toro Rosso	0	Collision	0

2007 Bahrain Grand Prix Fastest Laps

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Lap	Time	Avg. Speed
1	5	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	42	1:34.067	207.120
2	2	Lewis Hamilton	McLaren	18	1:34.270	206.674
3	6	Kimi Räikkönen	Ferrari	39	1:34.357	206.483
4	1	Fernando Alonso	McLaren	46	1:34.420	206.346
5	9	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	38	1:34.470	206.236
6	10	Robert Kubica	BMW Sauber	46	1:34.819	205.477
7	12	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	40	1:35.153	204.756
8	3	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	51	1:35.200	204.655
9	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	34	1:35.384	204.260
10	4	Heikki Kovalainen	Renault	27	1:35.475	204.065
11	16	Nico Rosberg	Williams	51	1:35.556	203.893
12	15	Mark Webber	Red Bull Racing	37	1:35.705	203.575
13	18	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Toro Rosso	23	1:35.723	203.537
14	8	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	50	1:35.842	203.284
15	11	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	37	1:35.845	203.278
16	17	Alexander Wurz	Williams	27	1:35.992	202.966
17	23	Anthony Davidson	Super Aguri	27	1:36.111	202.715
18	22	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri	23	1:36.359	202.193
19	20	Adrian Sutil	Spyker	45	1:36.772	201.330
20	21	Christijan Albers	Spyker	40	1:37.184	200.477

Only drivers with a recorded lap time appear. Average speeds are in km/h. No fastest-lap bonus point was awarded.

2007 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings

Championship standings after the 2007 Bahrain Grand Prix.

2007 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings

POS	Driver	Nationality	Car	PTS
1	Fernando Alonso	Spanish	McLaren	22
2	Kimi Räikkönen	Finnish	Ferrari	22
3	Lewis Hamilton	British	McLaren	22
4	Felipe Massa	Brazilian	Ferrari	17
5	Nick Heidfeld	German	BMW Sauber	15
6	Giancarlo Fisichella	Italian	Renault	8
7	Jarno Trulli	Italian	Toyota	4
8	Robert Kubica	Polish	BMW Sauber	3
9	Nico Rosberg	German	Williams	2
10	Heikki Kovalainen	Finnish	Renault	1
11	Ralf Schumacher	German	Toyota	1
12	Alexander Wurz	Austrian	Williams	0
13	Mark Webber	Australian	Red Bull Racing	0
14	Rubens Barrichello	Brazilian	Honda	0
15	Takuma Sato	Japanese	Super Aguri	0
16	Jenson Button	British	Honda	0
17	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Italian	Toro Rosso	0
18	Christijan Albers	Dutch	Spyker	0
19	Scott Speed	American	Toro Rosso	0
20	Adrian Sutil	German	Spyker	0
21	Anthony Davidson	British	Super Aguri	0
–	David Coulthard	British	Red Bull Racing	0

2007 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings

POS	Car	PTS
1	McLaren	44
2	Ferrari	39
3	BMW Sauber	18
4	Renault	9
5	Toyota	5
6	Williams	2
7	Red Bull Racing	0
8	Honda	0
9	Super Aguri	0
10	Toro Rosso	0
11	Spyker	0

2007 Formula 1 Race Calendar

Round	Grand Prix	Circuit	Date
1	2007 Australian Grand Prix	Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne	18 March
2	2007 Malaysian Grand Prix	Sepang International Circuit, Sepang	8 April
3	2007 Bahrain Grand Prix	Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir	15 April
4	2007 Spanish Grand Prix	Circuit de Catalunya, Montmeló	13 May
5	2007 Monaco Grand Prix	Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo	27 May
6	2007 Canadian Grand Prix	Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Montréal	10 June
7	2007 United States Grand Prix	Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis	17 June
8	2007 French Grand Prix	Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, Magny-Cours	1 July
9	2007 British Grand Prix	Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone	8 July
10	2007 European Grand Prix	Nürburgring, Nürburg	22 July
11	2007 Hungarian Grand Prix	Hungaroring, Mogyoród	5 August
12	2007 Turkish Grand Prix	Istanbul Park, Istanbul	26 August
13	2007 Italian Grand Prix	Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza	9 September
14	2007 Belgian Grand Prix	Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot	16 September
15	2007 Japanese Grand Prix	Fuji Speedway, Oyama	30 September
16	2007 Chinese Grand Prix	Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai	7 October
17	2007 Brazilian Grand Prix	Autódromo José Carlos Pace, São Paulo	21 October