Bahrain Grand Prix 2012 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Sebastian Vettel secured his first victory of the season at a controversial Bahrain Grand Prix, leading home the Lotus duo of Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean in a race that unfolded against a backdrop of political unrest and security concerns. The defending World Champion converted pole position into a commanding performance under the desert floodlights, demonstrating the Red Bull RB8's growing competitiveness and becoming the fourth different winner in four races as 2012's remarkable unpredictability continued.

The race itself took place amid significant controversy, with anti-government protests escalating in Bahrain during the race weekend. Several teams and drivers expressed concerns about safety and the appropriateness of racing in such circumstances, but F1 proceeded with the event under heavy security. On track, Vettel controlled proceedings from the front, managing his tire degradation expertly on the abrasive Sakhir circuit. His pole lap had been exceptional, and he converted it into a textbook lights-to-flag victory, setting fastest lap to complete a dominant weekend that announced Red Bull's arrival as serious championship contenders.

Raikkonen drove a brilliant race to claim second place on his return to Formula 1 with Lotus, demonstrating the smooth, tire-friendly driving style that would make him one of the season's most consistent performers. Grosjean secured his first F1 podium in third place, completing a remarkable result for Lotus and confirming the team's competitive pace. The French driver's weekend had been impressive, though his aggressive driving style would soon lead to controversial first-lap incidents that would define much of his 2012 campaign. The race marked a turning point in the championship narrative - with four different winners from four different teams in the opening four races, the season's unprecedented competitiveness was now undeniable, and predictions about the eventual champion became almost impossible.