Formula 1: Bahrain GP Overview

Vettel clinched his first win this season - Getty Images

Four races gone. Four winning drivers in four different teams. Four different leaders at the top of the standings. If 2012 is proving to be one thing, it's unpredictable. Seven days after qualifying 11th in China, Sebastian Vettel drove a sublime race from pole position to win his first race of the season.

In comparison to 2011, Vettel's start to 2012 has been positively pedestrian; a solitary podium in Australia followed by no points in Malaysia and fifth in China not giving the reigning champ the best of starts to the year. In Bahrain then it seems, Sebastian had a point to prove and he did exactly that. He didn't put a wheel out of place throughout both qualifying and the race, a well deserved victory. He's well and truly back in business. 

Completing the podium were Lotus F1's Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean. Kimi's drive from 11th to 2nd was great to watch, showing everyone he has lost none of that spark that made him World Champion in 2007. It would have been a great story for the sport had he managed to win in just his fourth race back but ultimately Vettel was too quick in the final stint when it mattered. 

Grosjean's 3rd place was impressive for a driver still in only his 11th F1 race. His confidence will continue to grow as the season goes on and there is every chance we could see both Kimi and Romain on the top step of the podium this year. Exciting stuff!

Mclaren had a shocker of a race, one they will definitely want to forget. One slow pitstop is bad luck but two in one race gives the impression that Hamilton has broken plenty of mirrors recently. His pace prior to his first stop wasn't great and there will no doubt be a big rethink at Mclaren before Round 5 in Barcelona. Jenson's pace was also pretty meagre and another non-points finish was disappointing for the 2009 Champ. 

Mark Webber has truly made 4th place his own, seemingly lacking the spark that Vettel had in that RB8. Nico Rosberg pulled some questionable moves on Hamilton and Alonso to finish 5th after a poor start and was lucky not to get a post-race penalty in my opinion. 

Mightily impressive was Paul di Resta in the Force India. Finishing 6th on a two-stop strategy was a great result for the Scot; his overtake on Maldonado and Perez was a great bit of opportunism.

Ferrari did well to get both of their drivers in the points; Alonso collecting 7th after Button's retirement and Massa picking up two points for 9th. Toro Rosso's Riccardo was visibly downbeat post-race after finishing 15th. He must have had his eye on one or two points when he qualified 6th but got an absolutely dreadful start.  

Williams were unlucky to record two DNF's with Senna and Maldonado but will take heart in the fact that rivals Sauber also failed to collect points.

Overall, the Bahrain Grand Prix was a big improvement on the last race staged in Sakhir; DRS and Pirelli adding a touch of excitement to proceedings. It'll be interesting to see if Vettel can begin to establish momentum after this first win or whether Mclaren and Mercedes can bounce back in Barcelona. One things for certain, 2012 has definitely got more surprises in store.