Lewis Hamilton wins, Kimi Raikkonen steals second from Rosberg in Bahrain Grand Prix

Defending world champion Lewis Hamilton made light of brake problems and a seamless switch from champagne to rose water yesterday after winning the Bahrain Grand Prix to extend his lead this year’s title race.

The 30-year-old Briton, who was embroiled in controversy after squirting champagne on the victors’ podium in China a week earlier, this time celebrated in a more muted style, but still soaked himself and the shirts of a few near bystanders.

It was a measure of Hamilton’s success that after a flawless drive to his third win in four races this year he remained in control after opening up a 27-point lead ahead of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg.

Starting from the 42nd pole position of his career, Hamilton led from lights to flag apart from two spells around the pit-stops to claim the 36th win of his career.

Hamilton came home 3.3 seconds clear of Finn Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari who stole second ahead of Nico Rosberg when the second Mercedes driver suffered a braking problem on the penultimate lap.

It had seemed that the 29-year-old German would hold off Raikkonen’s late challenge, but both Mercedes lost their brakes in the final laps, Hamilton just hanging on to win.

“I’m gunning for a third title,” a beaming Hamilton said after the race. “The Ferraris gave us a run for our money here and it was difficult to look after the tyres out there, but I was able to pull through and we need to keep pushing now, as I know we will.”

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff confirmed: “We lost the brakes on both our cars... Lewis lost his during his final lap.”