Formula 1 2010 : Bahrain Grand Prix 2010

Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull took the first pole position of 2010 in Bahrain. Ferraris of Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso were 2nd and 3rd. Lewis Hamilton was the leading McLaren in fourth place, ahead of Mercedes' Nico Rosberg and Red Bull's Mark Webber. Michael Schumacher will start seventh.

Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) set the fastest lap in Bahrain on Friday. He was over four tenths ahead of McLaren's Lewis Hamilton. Michael Schumacher in other Mercedes was third, while Jenson Button made it a lock-out at the front for Mercedes-powered cars as he finished fourth.

The HRT team (formerly known as Campos) have confirmed that Karun Chandhok will race for them this season. Chandhok, who has previously tested for Red Bull, will be the second Indian driver in the history of the world championship. Chandhok was crowned the Asian Formula Renault V6 champion, with seven wins and nine pole positions in 2006. Over the next three seasons, he competed in the GP2 series, winning two races. Last year, he finished 18th in the GP2 standings, after clinching third-place at the British event.

Following weeks of speculation FIA has confirmed the North Carolina-based US team will not compete, which means 12 teams will line up on the grid at season-opener in Bahrain: "The US team have indicated that they will not be in a position to participate in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship. Having considered the various options, the FIA confirms that it is not possible for a replacement team to be entered for the championship at this late stage."