Hamilton and Mercedes replicate dominant form once again at Bahrain

In addition to the Singapore and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this season, the 10^th edition of the Bahrain Grand Prix was, for the first time, held under the lights at the Bahrain International Circuit.

The first night race in Bahrain provided a spectacular backdrop to a thrilling and perhaps (one of) the best race in modern F1 era - which coincidentally occurred on the 900^th Grand Prix of Formula One.

Only the third race this season, the Bahrain race saw the silver arrows continue their blitz attack on the field, enhanced with a dose of classic team mate rivalry.

As former champions like Scuderia Ferrari, McLaren and defending champions Red Bull faltered in Sakhir, Bahrain, mid-fielders like Sahara Force India and Williams were strong and shined throughout the race.

Unlike the casual lights to flag cruise in Malaysia, Lewis Hamilton had to earn his 24^th victory trophy - from his team mate and pole sitter - Nico Rosberg just a second ahead when crossing the dance of the chequered flags and fireworks that temporarily brightened the desert sky.

The win was probably one of the toughest for the former world champion, after a long duel with Rosberg which provided plenty of tactical and wheel-to-wheel thrills. The pair were engaged in a dogfight - for the lack of a better word - from the moment 'go' when Hamilton took the lead at Turn One and was forced to defend his position from Rosberg at Turn Four.

This continued for most of the evening with Rosberg and Hamilton trading places for some much deserved racing action that fans have desired for several seasons.

Besides the Mercedes duo, Sergio Perez drove brilliantly to secure Force India's first podium since 2009 - just 0.4 seconds ahead of a fast charging Red Bull at the hands of Daniel Ricciardo - who once again outshined his quadruple champion teammate, Sebastian Vettel.

Lap 41 proved to be a turning point after Pastor Maldonado left the pits and flipped Esteban Gutierrez's Sauber at the first turn after forcing his car into a gap that was narrow and with Gutierrez stuck to the racing line.

Despite a badly damaged Sauber, Gutierrez managed to lift himself out of the wreck without assistance - a testament to the rigid structural integrity of modern F1 cars.

For his actions, Maldonado was slapped with a 10-second stop and go penalty and post-race was reprimanded with a five place grid penalty and three penalty points added to his super licence. The accident brought about a safety car to clear the wreckage.

Behind the safety car period, both Mercedes' pitted where Rosberg was on the soft rubber - giving him an opportunity to attack Hamilton on mediums. Soon after the restart, Rosberg launched another attack on his team mate at Turn four but Hamilton was able to defend well. Another opportunity emerged in the run down to Turn one, but it was unsuccessful.

In the final laps, the pair crossed the finish line for a memorable one-two, ahead of Perez who managed to hold off a brisk Ricciardo for the final podium spot - and in the process deliver a Mercedes power lockout. Post race Ricciardo told the media he was confident he could have placed a Red Bull at the podium if the race had lasted another lap.

The other Force India with Hulkenberg at the wheel took an impressive sixth ahead of Vettel, who complained about a lack of power towards the end of the race. The two Mercedes-powered Williams finished seventh and eighth, despite strong starts and pace by Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas earlier in the race.

Ferrari and McLaren had a weekend to forget, after drivers from the former took the last two point-securing positions, while both drivers of the latter retired. Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen retired on lap 42 while Jenson Button pulled into his garage with just two laps to go - not an ideal finish for the Briton who had his 250^th career start.