Ferrari get off to a flyer with Bahrain one-two

Fernando Alonso sent out a message to the rest of the Formula 1 paddock at Bahrain as he romped to victory in the opening race of the season in his Ferrari, leaving the likes of Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton trailing in his wake.

The race confirmed what had been suggested in pre-season testing - that Ferrari has the fastest car on the grid. And it was a one-two for the Italian manufacturer with Felipe Massa coming in second.

What was also apparent is that Red Bull has a very quick machine this season, but its reliability is suspect, which is what cost Sebastian Vettel the race. The young German started in pole position and appeared to be in control until he ran into engine difficulties on the 33rd lap.

It later emerged that he was suffering from a problem with a spark plug, and it proved to be enough to let Alonso and Massa through. Hamilton also took advantage of Vettel's troubles to take third spot as the German finished fourth, holding off compatriots Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher, who came in sixth ahead of reigning world champion Jenson Button.

After the phony war of pre-season testing, where it is impossible to gauge fuel loads and engine set ups rendering timings irrelevant, the first race of the season provides an indication of where the teams are. Fans hoping to see a four way tussle among the current and former world champions on the grid would have been disappointed to see the Ferraris and Red Bull show so much more pace than their rivals.

Hamilton and Schumacher may well end up in a series of thrilling dog-fights in 2010, but it looks likely that they will be battling for the minor places, unless their teams can find more pace from somewhere. Schumacher and Button flirted with each other in the race for sixth place, and although Schumacher won that battle, he would not have been pleased to finish behind his team mate Nico Rosberg.

Afterwards the seven-time world champion appeared a little disgruntled and aimed a sideswipe at the new rules, which include a ban on refuelling during the race. "Overtaking was basically impossible unless somebody made a mistake," he said. "That is the action we are going to have with this kind of environment of race strategy."

He also admitted that it would take time to get used to life as an F1 driver after three years away from the sport.

Schumacher was not the only one to comment on the refuelling ban. Button, Alonso and Hamilton all agreed that removing the drivers' fuel strategy and the subsequent pit stops meant that there would be fewer positional changes during the race.

"You start with fuel, you do one stop and it's pretty much a train all the way," said Hamilton. Hamilton though was pleased with his third placed finish. He acknowledged that the Ferrari was quicker but said he was confident McLaren could mount a challenge during the season.

"In clear air, on new tyres, the car felt great. It's good to know we can match these guys," he said. "I am quite happy but the Ferrari is definitely the car to beat." ·