Two-time series champion Sebastian Vettel, right, celebrates with Christian Horner of Red Bull Racing in the paddock after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday.

Sebastian Vettel of Germany celebrates with the trophy after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix in Sakhir.

Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel takes the checkered flag for his first triumph of the season.

Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen of Finland worked his way up from 11th on the starting grid to a second-place finish at the Formula One Bahrain International Circuit.

Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel leads the field after the start during the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix.

Sebastian Vettel, center, leads the field after the start of the season's fourth Formula One Grand Prix race.

F.I.A. President Jean Todt, center, arrives in the paddock ahead of qualifying for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on Saturday.

Germany's Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull Racing celebrates after finishing first during qualifying for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix. He completed the 3.363-mile circuit in 1 minute, 32.422 seconds to edge Lewis Hamilton.

Pole sitter Sebastian Vettel, center, is flanked by No. 2 qualifier Lewis Hamilton, left, and No. 3 Mark Webber, Vettel's Red Bull Racing teammate.

Nico Rosberg of Germany and Mercedes GP exits his garage to drive during the final practice session prior to qualifying on the 14-turn course in Sakhir, Bahrain.

Nico Rosberg of the Mercedes GP team prepares for the final practice session prior to qualifying. Rosberg locked down the No. 5 spot on the starting grid.

Sebastian Vettel of Germany negotiates his way around the circuit en route to a first-place performance in qualifying in the aftermath of a disappointing 11th-place finish in China last week.

Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull Racing drives during qualifying Saturday at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Michael Schumacher of Germany and Mercedes GP prepares for qualifying. Schumacher was 18th, nearly 2.5 seconds behind top qualifier Sebastian Vettel, after coming off the circuit early in his qualifying run.

A man looks on during the first free practice ahead the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Formula One Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir on Friday. After protests near the event, authorities in Bahrain have stepped up security around the Formula One circuit at the start of the controversial Grand Prix racing weekend.

Ferrari driver Felipe Massa of Brazil slides into his car for the practices in Bahrain. Massa is looking to gain some ground this weekend.

McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton hopes to continue his early-season success in Bahrain.
 

Mercedes Grand Prix driver Nico Rosberg of Germany steers his car during the second free practice ahead the Bahrain Grand Prix. Rosberg, who won the race a week ago, led the session. 

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel prepares for practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix. Vettel is the two-time defending champion in the series, but is looking for his first win this season.

F1's Bernie Ecclestone and His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa Crown Prince talk to the media in the paddock in Bahrain. The Formula One race in Bahrain is going forward despite protesters near the track.

Points leader Lewis Hamilton looks ready to race as he sits in the paddock in Bahrain. Hamilton has a two-point edge over McLaren teammate Jenson Button in the standings.

Lewis Hamilton takes some practice laps in Bahrain.

A colorful track and palm trees highlight the view for Paul di Resta of Great Britain and Force India as he practices. The Force India teams opted to skip the second practice to avoid late-night travel in the area, which has been a site of protests.

(From top left) Marussia driver Timo Glock of Germany, Lotus driver Romain Grosjean of France, Caterham driver Heikki Kovalainen of Finland, and (bottom left) McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain, Mercedes Grand Prix driver Nico Rosberg of Germany and Ferrari driver Felipe Massa of Brazil are on hand to offer their insight into this weekend's Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix in Sakhir, Bahrain.

Security is prevalent Thursday at the entrance gate at the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix. The Bahrain GP was canceled last year because of anti-government protests in the country, but Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone declared last week that the Gulf kingdom is safe and decided to go ahead with this year's race.

McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton is looking to build on his new points lead this weekend in Bahrain. Hamilton recently took a two-point edge over teammate Jenson Button. Bahrain's sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat, owns 50 percent of the McLaren team.

Ferrari driver Felipe Massa strolls past palm trees n the paddock ahead of Sunday's scheduled grand prix in Bahrain.

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso of Spain has visions of making a move in the points standings. He already had snared a win this season and sits third in the standings, eight points behind Lewis Hamilton.

A military rescue helicopter flies over the Formula One Bahrain International Circuit in Thursday. Violence in the surrounding region has heightened awareness of the Formula One race this weekend.

Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel (right) and team technicians survey the surroundings at the Formula One Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. Vettel, the series' two-time defending champion, is looking to get his season on track this weekend. He's currently fifth in the standings.

Force India technicians and their teammates endure an eventful day Thursday. A firebomb in Bahrain briefly delayed a Force India team vehicle from making its way from the Grand Prix circuit back to its hotel. No one in the vehicle was injured, but two members of team eventually decided to leave the country.

Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg (left) and his team have plenty to talk about Thursday, when Bahrain violence caused two crew members to leave the country.