Fans from all over the world packed stands yesterday to cheer Lewis Hamilton to victory in the Gulf Air Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix.

They were led by His Majesty King Hamad who joined local and international celebrities to make this year's event a record one.

The British driver started from pole for the first time in the desert race under floodlights and was largely untroubled, finishing ahead of Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen and his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg, whose braking problem with two laps remaining let in Raikkonen.

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, awarded the prize to the winners. He also praised the role of F1 in attracting investment and promoting tourism in Bahrain.-TradeArabia News Service