'Grateful' Lewis Hamilton praises 'historic' Ferrari for one-two at Bahrain Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton praised Ferrari for their one-two at the Bahrain Grand Prix and said he was «grateful» for a third place finish. Hamilton had been in a circumspect mood over the last few days as his Mercedes team struggled to improve the performance of their new car, and it looked as if he would finish in fifth place with just a few laps to go. Ad/> However Hamilton benefited as Max Verstappen’s Red Bull was struck by a sudden failure before the Dutchman's team-mate Sergio Perez spun out on the last lap.

Bahrain Grand PrixLeclerc 'so happy' after dramatic victory in Bahrain sees him top standings40 MINUTES AGO That allowed the Brit into third, to secure his first points and podium finish of the new season. Hamilton praised Ferrari as Charles Leclerc secured his third-ever win and Carlos Sainz took second. «So happy to see them doing well again,» he told Sky Sports.

«They’re such a historic epic team so it’s great to see Charles and Carlos up there. F1 Live: Bahrain Grand Prix — Leclerc wins as Red bull capitulate Leclerc wins in Bahrain as Verstappen and Red Bull suffer late disaster 'What the f*** is this?' — Verstappen panics as Red Bull race implodes, Perez spins out »This is really the best result we could have got. Of course it was unfortunate for the other two drivers but we did the best we could and we’re grateful for these points." Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was relieved and optimistic after a few weeks of worry.

«If we had come lin last year in third and fourth it would have been very frustrating but this year we are punching above our weight. I think third and fourth is a fanstastic result,» he told Sky Sports. «I think with soft tyres, pure pace before the tire degrades we are almost there, not with