© LAT Images for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd
By Carol M. Creasey
Lewis Hamilton may have been at odds with the FIA recently due to what he felt were unnecessary penalties and points on his licence, but today he was the first to acknowledge their commitment to making modern Formula One as safe as possible.
Right at the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix, Romain Grosjean suffered a horrific crash, which saw him hit the wall after contact with Daniil Kvyat. His car broke in half and became a ball of flame, from which, with help from the marshals, he shakily emerged.
News came through that he had minor burns and maybe some broken ribs. Horror spread through all the onlookers when it was realised how lucky he had been, the halo had saved his life. Then came the relief that he was still alive.
After he had been taken to hospital, the race resumed, Lewis Hamilton led, closely followed by Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. Valtteri Bottas had made a bad start, then suffered a puncture, so he had to make a pit stop, which brought him out in 16th position.
Lewis held the lead throughout the race, except for a brief time after his pit stop. Verstappen was in hot pursuit and for most of the race they were out on their own, with a gap of about 20 secs to the third placed Perez.
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For Lewis it was a two stop race, he managed to make his tyres work, while some others including Verstappen and Bottas had three stops. He finished where he started, in P1, while Verstappen came in second. Bottas had an unlucky afternoon, in spite of his best efforts, he could finish no higher than 8th. Perez was also unlucky, after holding 3rd place for most of the race, his car also failed and he suffered a DNF. Another DNF came from Lance Stroll, whose car turned upside down and he had to be helped out by the marshals.
The public was so moved by the plight of Grosjean thst they voted him driver of the day. When asked how he felt about losing his podium, Perez commented that as long as Grosjean was ok, it was the only thing that mattered and there would be other opportunities to get a podium.
Never slow to speak out, Lewis commented how all Formula One drivers take their life into their own hands when they get into their car. He also expressed what everyone was thinking, the huge relief that Grosjean had survived this horrific crash.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff was quick to thank the hardworking marshals and medics for their dedication.
This was a race full of drama and it must have been stressful for the drivers having to restart the race after Grosjean’s horrific accident. Luckily they all remained safe and Lewis took his 95th win!
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