Alonso snares Bahrain Grand Prix

The two-time world champion passed teammate Felipe Massa at the second corner after the start before overtaking pole-sitter Sebastian Vettel on the 34th lap for a lead he would never relinquish.

 

After two frustrating years at Renault, Alonso pounded his chest after jumping on top of his car as Ferrari got off to its best start since 2004 Ñ when Michael Schumacher led a 1-2 start. Alonso replaced Kimi Raikkonen, who also won on his Ferrari debut three years ago.

 

Affected by an engine problem, Vettel was soon after passed by Massa, who claimed second on his return to racing after a life-threatening crash last July in Hungary.