Lewis Hamilton had to overcome three problems with his car to secure victory at the Bahrain GP

Andrew Shovlin admitted the Silver Arrows did not have the fastest car on Sunday despite the team securing a one-two finish at the chequered flag. Shovlin revealed the cars were suffering from a lack of rear grip and a lack of straight-line speed. He also felt they need more speed in the corners. "We're delighted with the one-two today but well aware that we didn't have the fastest car this weekend and we've got some work to do to catch Ferrari,” Shovlin said after the race. “We've lacked a bit of rear grip and a bit of straight line speed this weekend and this made qualifying and the race difficult.

It would be nice in China if we can rely on our pace to get the win rather than good fortune Andrew Shovlin

“We've got some developments to try at the test here that should help our speed in the corners. “It would be nice in China if we can rely on our pace to get the win rather than good fortune. “However, the team did work really well today under a lot of pressure our car has been perfectly reliable here all week which is great to see.” Ahead of the race Ferrari had locked out the front of the grid after an impressive display from Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel in qualifying.

Lewis Hamilton is now just one point behind team-mate and championship leader Valtteri Bottas

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes Vettel could have won the race if it wasn’t for Hamilton’s impressive overtake at Turn Four. After the British driver executed a late-braking manoeuvre to pass him, Vettel spun out and destroyed his own front wing in the process - the German finished in fifth. The move saw Hamilton move up to second place and the five-time world champion then set his sights on Leclerc. As the race reached its closing moments the Monegasque driver fell victim to a car malfunction and lost power as his hybrid system failed. Hamilton seized the opportunity and reduced an eight-second deficit within three laps. He then passed Leclerc, who finished third behind the safety car, and went on to take his first win of the 2019 season.

Charles Leclerc suffered the hybrid system fail on his car

Leclerc was disappointed at seeing his first F1 race win slip away but was optimistic about Ferrari’s performance. "It happens. Unfortunately, today was not our day,” Leclerc said. “But I am extremely confident. The team have done amazing job. “We have been lucky on an unlucky day with the safety car. Very hard to take but we will come back stronger." Hamilton expressed his sympathy for Leclerc over the radio.

Sebastian Vettel had a spin and finished the race in fifth