Bahrain Grand Prix 2013 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Sebastian Vettel secured victory at Bahrain's first-ever night race, converting pole position into a dominant win ahead of the Lotus duo of Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean. Vettel controlled proceedings from the front, managing his tires expertly in the desert heat and demonstrating the RB9's superior race pace. The German's victory marked his second win of the season and reasserted Red Bull's championship credentials after the diverse results of the opening races.

The race showcased Lotus's strong form as Raikkonen and Grosjean secured a double podium, with both drivers exhibiting excellent tire management on a circuit where degradation played a crucial role. Rosberg had claimed pole for Mercedes but couldn't convert it into a podium finish, highlighting the Silver Arrows' ongoing struggles with race pace despite their qualifying speed. The battle behind the leaders featured multiple strategic variations as teams experimented with different approaches to tire management.

Vettel's commanding performance and fastest lap demonstrated that Red Bull had resolved their early-season inconsistencies and were finding their rhythm. The victory moved him into a stronger championship position and signaled the beginning of what would become Red Bull's relentless march toward domination in the second half of 2013.