Bahrain farce takes the heat off relieved Lewis

Mind you, such has been the confusing and contradictory way that the situation has been handled, that by the time you reading this, 12 hours later, the situation might well have changed!

I think Formula One have learned a bit of a lesson in the past few weeks, certainly the FIA have learned rule 66 of the agreement that governs the sport. It seems that only after they announced, to much public bewilderment, that the race was going ahead, did someone point out that the teams also need to agree to such a change. Whoops!

One man who I am sure is relieved that other headlines have been setting the agenda is Lewis Hamilton. In the week that the new Senna film broke box-office records, Lewis gave the kind of passionate post-race interview for which his Brazilian hero became famous.

I don't condone his Ali G joke, which he has since apologised for. However, I applaud him for being spirited and honest.

From the earliest age drivers are weaned on a diet of corporate responsibility, and it's something that can infuriate. On some occasions I interview drivers and get a sense that their mouths are moving yet they're not really saying anything. It's imperative that the media and the public don't criticise Lewis too heavily. If every sports star was as accessible, honest and intense, the world would be a much more exiting place.

Monaco was perhaps a weekend that had been brewing for a while. He knows this is his time, his opportunity to build a legacy, to lead a team. Yet Sebastian Vettel is re-writing his script.

It was Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, then Michael Schumacher gave way to Fernando Alonso, and it looked in 2007 like the baton was being passed to Lewis to supply the next period of domination. Perhaps not.

How does a true racer like Lewis deal with the fact that he can beat Vettel into second place at the next eight races and still not be leading.
How demoralising was it following Vettel in Spain and seeing the Red Bull stretch its legs every lap to keep him at bay. How painful that the man with the points also got all the luck in Monaco.

The seemingly unstoppable, unbeatable combination of Red Bull and Vettel is a serious worry for the men chasing his exhaust fumes.

Seb is 23, he has designs on beating Schumacher's seven world titles, and that is unthinkable for Alonso and Hamilton, two men who feel theirs is
the talent that deserves the trophies.

Red Bull are dominating, forcing their rivals to hire, fire, reassess and redesign. What was once considered a fast lap or a perfect approach is no longer delivering a win.

Mind you, if there is one race that might just upset the odds, it's this weekend. I know what you're thinking, "yeah right, just like Monaco didn't?"

Well no, actually, the exact opposite of Monaco. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve rewards a car with high top-speed and grip and balance in slower corners, two areas where the Red Bull just doesn't excel.

Add into the mix a scolded, chastened Lewis with a point to prove and this could be the race that turns his season around.

Bahrain will make its F1 comeback in 2012. I think Lewis will make his this weekend.

Follow me on Twitter @jakehumphreyf1