Alonso wins in Bahrain!

By Kristien Barker
March 12 2006

World drivers champion Fernando Alonso started 2006 just the way he ended 2005 with a race victory. The speedy Spaniard had a race long battle with the Ferrari of Michael Schumacher and beat the german to the finsh line.

A thrilling duel between Fernando Alonso and Micheal Schumacher was decided in the final pitsop of the race today as the Renault boys managed to get the champion in front of the Ferrari of Schumacher.

Alonso was behind the german in the early part of the race, as Micheal was to fast for the Renault of Alonso. Although the Ferrari was carrying slightly less fuel so fernando managed to stay within touching distance of the ledgendary german and hope to overtake him when he had pitted.

Schumacher pitted on lap 37 and Alonso was told by his race engineer that these were "race winning laps." Alonso began to push his R26 as much as possible in order to come back out in front. Car after car kept on getting in the world champions way as blue flags were not being waved was much as they should have. It had apeared as though it was over adn that Micheal would retain the lead, this was unitl they came into the pits and the Renault Mechanics did a stella job in getting the champion back out infront of the ferrari. This was by the smallest margine as the two nearly collided at the end of the start finish straight. Fernando took the lead and managed to keep it until the finish line.

Alonso dedicated the race win to the mechanics whos stella job in the pits enbled him to overtake Schumacher and bring about the best possible result for the start of his title defence!

Bahrain Grand Prix results - 57 laps

1. ALONSO Renault 57 laps

2. M.SCHUMACHER Ferrari +1.2s

3. RAIKKONEN McLaren +19.3s

4. BUTTON BAR +19.9s

5. MONTOYA McLaren +37.0s

6. WEBBER Williams +41.9s

7. ROSBERG Williams +1m03.0s

8. KLIEN Red Bull +1m06.7s

9. COULTHARD Red Bull +1m09.9s

10. MASSA Ferrari +1m15.5s

11. LIUZZI Toro Rosso +1m25.9s

12. HEIDFELD BMW +1 lap

13. SPEED Toro Rosso +1 lap

14. R.SCHUMACHER Toyota +1 lap

15. BARRICHELLO BAR +1 lap

16. TRULLI Toyota +1 lap

17. MONTEIRO Midland +2 laps

18. SATO Super Aguri +4 laps

R. IDE Super Aguri +22 laps

R. VILLENEUVE BMW +28 laps

R. FISICHELLA Renault +36 laps

R. ALBERS Midland +39 laps
Bahrain Grand Prix results - 57 laps

1. ALONSO Renault 57 laps

2. M.SCHUMACHER Ferrari +1.2s

3. RAIKKONEN McLaren +19.3s

4. BUTTON BAR +19.9s

5. MONTOYA McLaren +37.0s

6. WEBBER Williams +41.9s

7. ROSBERG Williams +1m03.0s

8. KLIEN Red Bull +1m06.7s

9. COULTHARD Red Bull +1m09.9s

10. MASSA Ferrari +1m15.5s

11. LIUZZI Toro Rosso +1m25.9s

12. HEIDFELD BMW +1 lap

13. SPEED Toro Rosso +1 lap

14. R.SCHUMACHER Toyota +1 lap

15. BARRICHELLO BAR +1 lap

16. TRULLI Toyota +1 lap

17. MONTEIRO Midland +2 laps

18. SATO Super Aguri +4 laps

R. IDE Super Aguri +22 laps

R. VILLENEUVE BMW +28 laps

R. FISICHELLA Renault +36 laps

R. ALBERS Midland +39 laps