Bahrain Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton wins yet again; Romain Grosjean injured in ghastly accident

Lewis Hamilton’s 11th victory of the season was overshadowed by a fiery crash that ensured Haas driver Romain Grosjean couldn’t complete the race in Bahrain.

Grosjean was rushed to a hospital requiring surgery after suffering severe burns to the back of both hands when his Haas ran into the barriers and caught fire in the first lap. The crash was the worst of its kind seen for many years.

The Franco-Swiss has nobody else to point accusing fingers as the crash was actually triggered by himself after veering dramatically across the track between Turns Three and Four, before colliding nastily with Daniil Kvyat’s Alpha Tauri that sent him hurtling towards the barriers, which he hit at an angle that would normally not create such a mind bugling effect.

The car was split into two due to the rate of twisting force generated. Consequentially, the car went ablaze due to fuel released as a result of the fracture.

Grosjean was in the huge fire for several seconds before finally managing a narrow escape with help from FIA doctor Ian Stewart, who had rushed to the scene in a medical car to get him over the barrier.

Grosjean received first aid treatment in the medical car before being put in an ambulance and then flown straight to the hospital, where he was admitted for the night.

After Monday’s meeting between Haas team boss, Gunther Steiner, and Grosjean, it has now been confirmed that Brazilian Pietro Fittipaldi will come in as a replacement as he gets set to make his Formula 1 debut in next Sunday’s Sakhir Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Bahrain GP Results

1. Hamilton (Mercedes)

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

3. Alex Albon (Red Bull)

Hamilton’s victory equals his personal record for a season and means the Briton is in contention to match the all-time record of 13 victories in a year, currently held by Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel if he wins the last two races of the year.

Up next is the penultimate race of the season next weekend, which will see F1 stay in Bahrain but with a new layout, a step into the unknown with the so-called outer track, which is short and fast.

Reaction

Hamilton: “It was physically very demanding. With the break we had at the beginning – you get into a mindset of going out and getting a good start – but with that 45-minute wait we had, it is so easy to step out of the zone.”

Verstappen: “I was lacking a bit. I tried to keep close but they were ahead and we didn’t have an answer and we didn’t really go aggressive enough with the strategy, we also had a slow pit stop. It is what it is. Second isn’t too bad.”

Albon: “It was obviously a bit of luck with what happened to Sergio (Perez). He had a good race, but the guys did an amazing job to get the car ready. A double podium for us and I’m happy.”