Jenson Button notched up his third victory of the 2009 season in searing desert heat in Bahrain, stretching his world championship lead to 12 points.
Button ran third in the opening stint, but leapfrogged both Toyotas at the first round of pit stops and stamped his authority on the race with a strong middle stint.
Toyota paid a high price for its early pit stops and its challenge faded, allowing Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel to vault ahead of pole-sitter Jarno Trulli into second place. ITV
Defending champion Lewis Hamilton was fourth for McLaren, ahead of Brawn GP’s Rubens Barrichello.
Kimi Raikkonen finished sixth to give Ferrari its first points of the season, with Toyota’s Timo Glock and Renault’s Fernando Alonso seventh and eighth.
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There was only one retirement from the 20-car field. The Associated Press
“This was a tough race for us,” said Button.
“This weekend we’ve not had the pace of the first few races for whatever reason. I guess these guys [Red Bull and Toyota] have caught us.
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“But the start was important, and I had a good one. When I passed Lewis [Hamilton] at the start of turn two, that was the move that really made the race for us.
“So I’m very happy. This race win is the best of a lot. To come away with this win is great.”
Hamilton, he was happy enough with fourth, appreciating he could did not have the pace of the front three.
“I’m delighted considering we started fifth,” said Hamilton. “We had a great start, but it was so hard to keep up with the Red Bull and the Toyotas and Brawn. It was impossible.
“We’ve got to keep pushing, but this is good for the team.” Telegraph.co.uk
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