MOTORSPORT: Felipe Massa cut a frustrated figure after being unable to turn a good start into a podium finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Grove-based Williams driver suffered on the medium tyre to finish eighth after running second during the first lap.

Mercedes driver Nico Rosbert went on to win his second grand prix of the season.

Massa said: “I had such a great start, going from seventh to second, but unfortunately the two-stop strategy didn’t work as expected and our pace on the medium tyre was not very good.

“This allowed others on softer tyres to get ahead and stay there.

“We started the weekend expecting more so it’s been a disappointing result, but hopefully we can learn from this weekend and have a better result in China.”

Teammate Valtteri Bottas came ninth after receiving a drive-through penalty for a collision with Lewis Hamilton.

He said: “I was expecting more from and finishing ninth is a bit disappointing.

“I had a mega start, but unfortunately collided with Lewis in turn one which was a shame as it cost us both positions.

“The drive-through penalty then compromised our strategy so it was always going to be difficult after that.

“I also damaged my front wing in that collision with a big piece missing which didn’t help our pace.”