Fernando Alonso will start third for Ferrari, and the Spaniard is confident of repeating his victory last time out in Shanghai after also deciding to conserve his tires by giving up his final run, with track temperatures rising above 40C and playing havoc with the rubber.

CNN: Rosberg claims surprise pole position in Bahrain

Rubber mats were also later laid on a railway running alongside the bypass so road traffic could use the track.

BBC: Landslide on A890. Pic: Highland Council