Chandhok Crashes out, Liuzzi Keeps Force India in Points

Debutant Karun Chandhok driving for Hispania was forced into an early exit by a bump in the circuit even as Vitantonio Liuzzi’s ninth place finish earned Force India two invaluable points from the season opening Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sakhir circuit on Sunday.

Dashing Indian hopes, Chandhok’s blink-and-miss debut did not even last two laps.

Starting 10th on the grid, Force India’s Adrian Sutil dropped out of the point race after an opening lap scramble, leaving it to Liuzzi to ensure that the Vijay Mallya-owned outfit gained something from the season opener.

Sutil eventually finished 12th.

Ferrari pulled off a spectacular one-two victory with Fernando Alonso leading team mate Felipe Massa to the chequered flag to end the contest which, for the first time since 1993, did not allow drivers to refuel their cars.