As the 2018 Formula 1 season gathers momentum, TIBCO partner Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport returned to Bahrain for a showdown in the desert. After a P2 and P8 finish at the Australian Grand Prix last month, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas looked for ways to outpace the competition under the lights at the Bahrain International Circuit.
Race day ready 👊 #BahrainGP 🇧🇭
📸 x Wolfgang Wilhelm#DrivenByEachOther #VB77 #F1 pic.twitter.com/Y5gvXtWpuK
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) April 8, 2018
The Bahrain Grand Prix was also a milestone for both Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport and Lewis Hamilton — 100 races together.
Todays's #BahrainGP marks @LewisHamilton’s 100th start for @MercedesAMGF1! Take a look back at some great team memories with Lewis and Team Principal Toto Wolff! 💯 #DrivenByEachOther #TIBCOfast #LH44 https://t.co/V6D4LMnvwL
— TIBCO (@TIBCO) April 8, 2018
The race started with immediate fireworks between Bottas (P3) and Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen (P2).
LAP 1 IN BAHRAIN
Bottas jumps Kimi for P2
Magnussen tags Hulkenberg 📸
Hamilton on the move#BahrainGP 🇧🇭 #F1 pic.twitter.com/lkfrKw7TAb— Formula 1 (@F1) April 8, 2018
Moments later, a familiar face emerged from the pack:
WHATTTTTTT!!! LEWIS passes THREE CARS in ONE move!! We can’t even… #BahrainGP #DrivenByEachOther pic.twitter.com/pUHrH2QPZU
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) April 8, 2018
After a 9th place start, Hamilton moved mountains to get to pole position.
LAP 8/57
Hamilton's ascent continues as he passes Gasly for P4#BahrainGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/8R3II9AdZg
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 8, 2018
The crowd went wild:
@LewisHamilton #LH44 is currently like… @MercedesAMGF1 @TIBCO #BahreinGP #DrivenByEachOther #TIBCOfast pic.twitter.com/OPlwA4tZuR
— Thomas Been (@tombee74) April 8, 2018
Wow!! Crazy start at #BahrainGP. Excellent early over takes by @MercedesAMGF1 @LewisHamilton has nerves of steel! #TIBCO
— Shawn Rogers (@shawnrog) April 8, 2018
Until a grisly pitstop left Ferrari with a badly injured mechanic and sidelined Raikonnen.
LAP 36/57
Awful pitstop for Ferrari
Raikkonen out of the race
Ferrari mechanic receiving treatment#BahrainGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/ppqSYyvIH0— Formula 1 (@F1) April 8, 2018
Hope for a positive update soon, @ScuderiaFerrari ❤️ #BahrainGP https://t.co/Kc9KA6ujNH
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) April 8, 2018
As the race continued on, Hamilton settled into P3 as Bottas in P2 charged ahead towards Sebastian Vettel in P1.
Wow – @ValtteriBottas has the prize in his sights for @MercedesAMGF1! This one could all come down to careful calculations and tire selection. How will these final laps unfold? #BahrainGP #DrivenByEachOther #TIBCOfast https://t.co/UNKplsc6zy
— TIBCO (@TIBCO) April 8, 2018
Tensions were high…
#DrivenByEachOther pic.twitter.com/CGYucm0g4F
— TIBCO (@TIBCO) April 8, 2018
It came down to the wire…
TWO LAPS TO GO! He’s right with the Ferrari!!#BahrainGP 🇧🇭 #DrivenByEachOther
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) April 8, 2018
LAST LAP!!! PUSH. PUSH!! #BahrainGP 🇧🇭 #DrivenByEachOther
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) April 8, 2018
But ultimately Vettel and Ferrari were able to hold on to win the race.
👏👏👏 @ValtteriBottas! So close!! #BahrainGP 🇧🇭 #DrivenByEachOther pic.twitter.com/IuubRqTCun
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) April 8, 2018
With incredibly impressive performances all around, it was another fantastic day of Formula One racing in the books!
Gutting to miss out on the win… but whatever the final result, that was a PROPER @F1 race!! 👏#BahrainGP 🇧🇭 #DrivenByEachOther pic.twitter.com/YvuE7VwxVj
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) April 8, 2018
Up next: the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on April 15!
Learn more about TIBCO’s partnership with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport that provides the team with a data-driven competitive edge.
