F1 2016: Nico Rosberg seals fifth straight win at the Bahrain Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton comes third

Nico Rosberg collected his second victory of the embryonic 2016 Formula 1 season and his fifth in succession with a comfortable triumph at the Bahrain Grand Prix on 3 April. Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton had begun the afternoon on the front of the grid after securing the 51st pole position of his illustrious career with a record-breaking lap in Sakhir, but lost the lead and quickly dropped down to ninth after contact with Valtteri Bottas of Williams at turn one.

While the reigning world champion eventually fought back to take third spot, Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel did not even begin the race after suffering engine failure during the formation lap. Teammate Kimi Raikkonen bounced back from a slow start to finish second, 10 seconds behind the impressive Rosberg.

Daniel Ricciardo was fourth, while Romain Grosjean, who was sixth last weekend, continued American newcomers Haas' excellent start to life in F1 by crossing the line in fifth. McLaren debutant Stoffel Vandoorne outperformed Jenson Button and came home just inside the top 10 as he deputised for Fernando Alonso, who was unable to participate following chest CT scans that came after his high-speed crash at the season opener in Melbourne a fortnight ago.

"For sure, it's been an awesome weekend," Rosberg was quoted as saying by BBC Sport after his latest win. "The key was the start. I had a great getaway and from there I was just trying to control the race."

A frustrated Hamilton said: "Two separate incidents, both equally painful - perhaps today more painful. Again, damage limitation. Congratulations to Nico. The team was hoping that potentially there would be a safety car. I had so much damage to the car, I couldn't fight with Kimi."

Earlier in the day, a meeting to discuss proposed changes to the unpopular new elimination-style qualifying system ended without a satisfactory resolution. Bernie Ecclestone and Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) president Jean Todt are said to oppose a return to the previous approach and talks look set to reconvene on Thursday (7 April).