Despite coming second to Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg said the Bahrain GP 'was the most exciting race I have ever raced'.
The Bahrain GP enjoyed something of a 'blooding' on Sunday, demonstrating that it can be the setting of some truly exciting F1 racing.
As well as the remarkable, protracted battle between Hamilton and Rosberg, there were many other tussles beyond first and second position. Williams, RedBull and Force India all grappled for the lower positions.
The race's peak came after a spectacular crash between Pastor Maldonado and Esteban Gutiérrez, which ultimately resulted in a safety car being brought on. This saw Hamilton lose his 9.5 second lead, giving him much work to do on slower tyres - as well as being without the DRS boasted by Rosberg.
But Hamilton showed real pedigree by taking first, after grabbing the lead and then losing it several times – finally coming out victorious. Rosberg's energetic celebration with Hamilton at the end hid some real frustration at coming second.
But the German still has an eleven point lead over his British teammate. However, if Hamilton continues driving the way he is, that lead may not last long.
Mercedes head the constructor's championship, followed by Force India-Mercedes and McLaren-Mercedes. In the driver's competition, one of the Mercedes Anglo-German duo looks sure to take ultimate victory.
Hamilton has equalled Argentina's Juan Manuel Fangio, who also had 24 GP victories. A long way off the 91 enjoyed by Michael Schumacher, but the Briton still has time.
F1 fans – many of our breakdown insurance customers among them – will hope the rest of the season produces a few more gems like the Bahrain race.
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