Christian Klien driving the R5 in the desert Photo Jaguar Racing, Clive Mason/Getty Images

Last year, the sight of a Jaguar dicing with the McLaren Mercedes of Kimi Raikonen would have been a great accomplishment. Not so this year. Sure it was exciting to see the big cat keeping up with the championship runner up and even leaping around him (although in all fairness he couldn't make it stick and gave up the position each time). Unfortunately, this year the mighty Anglo-German team is not number one ... or number two... on the track. It is only ranking number one on the "red face list" after yet another string of engine failure: two in the race and one in practice. Heads are going to roll in Stuttgart...

But back to Jaguar... First point of the season for the team, thanks to Mark Webber, although in his 3rd race, rookie Christian Klien had a solid week end, outqualifying his more experienced teammate. And both cars got off the grid cleanly this time around, unlike 2 weeks ago where Mark Webber's brilliant front row qualifier was all ruined because of a software glitch.

Up 4 places, to 10th,at the end of the first lap, Mark Webber ran a good race although for the second week end in a a row, the Australian has shown an aggressive side which is not going to make him popular, especially with Renault driver Fernando Alonso. After squeezing him to the pit wall in Malaysia, Webber appeared to brake test him twice as the young Spaniard became increasingly frustrated trying to pass the Jaguar. He eventually did after Webber went a little wide, obviously driving his mirrors... not his own race... but it provided some exciting moments.

Klien also helped dispel the myth that there is no passing in Formula One during his battle with Raikonen in the early part of the race. The fireworks became real when the young Fin saw his Mercedes engine burst in a ball of flame, smoke and steam... that's Mercedes engine nr 3 in as many races for the talented driver who last year brought the world championship down to the wire only 2 points down at the end of the season.

As the race winded down, Mark Webber looked as if if was gong to finish right outside the point but luckily, the Williams BMW of Juan Pablo Montoya started dropping off the pace with gear box problem, from a solid 3rd all the way to 13th, giving Webber Jaguar's first point of the season.

This is good for the team, but unfortunately, it seems like points are going to be even harder to get this season as a number of teams have significantly upped their games. Last year, Renault which in 2002 was stuck with Jaguar near the end of the grid jumped to the top with a win and solid performances throughout the year. This year, the surprise comes from BAR Honda with Jenson Button taking two 3rd place in a row. That's 6 strong teams to beat before Jaguar can score points.

Mark Webber leading David Coulthard Photo Jaguar Racing, Clive Mason/Getty Images

Well... I didn't need to mention who won this inaugural race...did I? With McLaren and Williams dropping the ball, Alonso taking his Renault off track in qualifying, it's no surprise that Ferrari scored yet another 1-2 finish with 6 times world champion Michael Schumacher leading teammate Rubens Barichello. That's 3 in a row and win nr 73. Statistic minded readers will like to know that no driver ever won the first 3 races of a season and not won the championship. What must be most depressing for "the rest" of the teams is how easy Ferrari makes it look. While in the press conference, the drivers and team principal claimed they had to work hard for the victory, they were clearly in full control of the race (and the week end... and the season so far) with a well balanced car and clockwork team work. Anyone who believes that Ferrari and Schumacher have been giving 100% in Malaysia and Bahrain must also believe wrestling is for real...

The first Middle East Grand Prix is in the books, and everyone agreed that the new 150 Million dollars track is setting new standards; the drivers praised the layout for its technical challenges and passing opportunities, the team personnel must have felt the garages were Arabian palaces and TV audiences were treated to an exciting race. Because of the location, security was high and F1 had to leave some of its tradition back home: no grid girls and no champagne on the podium out of respect for the Muslim faith. Instead the drivers sprayed Warrd, a local drink of tropical fruit and rose water, from bottles that looked very much like the traditional magnums. When asked about the non alcoholic celebration, Michael Schumacher gave it two thumbs up saying that unlike champagne Warrd made them smell better in the press conference room...

Next up, the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola April 21th, the first race of the European season at the Dino and Enzo Ferrari Circuit in Tifosi Land, one of the oldest track on the calendar and one which could be dropped from the 2005 calendar as the infrastructure is now a few steps behind some of the newest tracks.

GP of Bahrain Results