Germany’s Sebastian Vettel won a dramatic Bahrain Grand Prix from pole position on Sunday and extended his championship lead over Lewis Hamilton, who finished third behind teammate Valtteri Bottas despite starting from ninth. On the other hand, Max Verstappen and Vettel's teammate, Kimi Raikkonen, were involved in the day's most dramatic incidents.

Vettel held off the charge of Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas to take victory in his 200th grand prix, but the occasion was soured after a member of Raikkonen's pit crew was taken to a medical center after an incident during the 35th lap, where Raikkonen was mistakenly cleared to leave the pit before his rear wheels were properly fitted, hitting a team mechanic. The Ferrari crew member suffered a broken leg, while the Finn is knocked out of the competition.

Hamilton's communication issues left Bottas on his own in challenging Vettel for the lead. But the four-time former world champion managed to hold off the Finn, and grab his second straight win to start the new season. Hamilton completed the podium in third, as Vettel won the 49th race of his career.

The German edged Bottas by less than a second. Hamilton was moving up to cross the line about six seconds behind. Vettel now leads his English rival by 17 points in the drivers’ standings. The season continues at next week's China Grand Prix in Shanghai.