Bahrain: Felipe Massa leads at the break

Thanks to a lap completed in 1’37”224, Felipe Massa raised his Williams FW36-Mercedes at the top of the provisional hierarchy. Everything is going well for the Brazilian since he was also able to cover the Sakhir track 48 times. In this morning's ranking, he is ahead by 0 Nico Hulkenberg, which confirms the good form of the Force India VJM07-Mercedes this week in the Gulf. The top three is completed by another German, namely Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) who is 1”333 behind the reference time. Followed by the Russian Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Ferrari) and the Danish Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes).

If Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari F14 T) only did 9 laps, what can we say about Sebastian Vettel. The reigning four-time world champion did not complete a single timed lap. During his only attempt, he was forced to stop his Red Bull RB10 after only being able to cover one sector. His compatriot Adrian Sutil (Sauber-Ferrari) did little better after encountering an engine problem.

Mixed fortunes for the two French people in the running today. Romain Grosjean, who had to wait a long time before being able to hit the track, covered 14 loops. If Jules Bianchi did better, with 55 laps on the clock, his Marussia MR03-Ferrari was the cause of the second red flag of the morning, a few minutes before the lunch break.

Let's note aside Renault the 69 laps completed so far by the Caterham CT03 of Swede Marcus Ericsson. A total which is added to the 41 covered by Kvyat.

Ranking at the break:

1. Felipe Massa (Williams-Mercedes) – 1’37″224 / 48 laps
2. Nico Hulkenberg (Force India-Mercedes) – 1’38″000 / 42 laps
3. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 1’38″557 / 22 laps
4. Daniel Kvyat (Toro Rosso-Renault) 1’39″297 / 40 laps
5. Kevin Magnussen (McLaren-Mercedes) 1’40″252 / 24 laps
6. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) 1’41″542 / 9 laps
7. Marcus Ericsson (Caterham-Renault) 1’41″849 / 69 laps
8. Jules Bianchi (Marussia-Ferrari) 1’41″889 / 55 laps
9. Romain Grosjean (Lotus-Renault) 1’43″088 / 14 laps