Rosberg Leads in Bahrain, Force Indias Impress

Nico Rosberg brought the MercedesMercedes-BenzGermany, 1924 > present197 models
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team its first back-to-back pole position since 2009 when the team was still Brawn GPBrawn GPUnited Kingdom, 2009 > 20101 model
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. The conditions at the Sakhir circuit did not really change between sessions, which kept times consistent in all three sessions.

The deciding factor for the order was what tires teams used to qualify. Massa and Raikkonen both qualified on the harder-compound tires, which may give them a slight edge in the early portion of the race by delaying their pit stops. 

Mark Webber, Esteban Gutierrez and Lewis Hamilton all had grid penalties. Webber and Gutierrez's came for their contact in the Chinese Grand Prix. Webber received a three-spot penalty, and Gutierrez got a five-spot penalty. Hamilton changed gearboxes during practice to get a five-spot penalty. 

FerrariFerrariItaly, 1947 > present233 models
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stands a real chance of winning this race with its cars in third and fourth place. Alonso has put in some great opening laps in the past, and it will be interesting to see if he can get past Vettel. 

The real star of qualifying might be Force IndiaForce IndiaIndia, 2007 > present8 models
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. They were promoted to fifth and sixth on the grid thanks partially to the penalties from Webber and Hamilton. That puts them above both McLarensMcLarenUnited Kingdom, 1963 > present92 models
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and both LotusLotusUnited Kingdom, 1952 > present68 models
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cars and is a great opportunity for them to score some points. 

Lotus and McLaren both had horrible sessions with only one car from each team making it to Q3.