Renault and Mercedes are trading jabs so far in F1. Bahrain was all Renault in the top 4 slots. Mercedes in the 5th and 6th slots. The previous week in China it was Mercedes in the top 3 followed by Renault in the next five slots. The season opener in Australia traded spots among the two, with Mercedes in first and third and Renault in second and fourth.

Those upstarts with Ferrari took the top two slots in Malaysia. However, third through seventh were Mercedes and Renault.

Sixteen races remain in the season so anything can happen. Errors can come quickly at 195 mph and at three seconds. In China, Michael Schumacher was out after 13 laps following a pit stop with a crossed front wheel. Three seconds.

At 195 mph, hard braking into turns and centrifugal acceleration out of them, tires not only wear but face degradation at alarming rates. The balance of speed with preservation of tires can force the final laps to become a fight for traction and position. Once the tires go, acceleration and grip go with it as it did with Vettel one week before in China.

Red Bull and Sebastion Vettel managed the tire balance in Bahrain for the win. Team Lotus, also with Renault powerplants, were second and third.

Four races in and many of the same names are showing up in the top five finish positions. Vettel, Hamilton, Webber and Button are top four in points.

Currently, those four names alternate through Renault and Mercedes. It looks like 2012 is shaping up with a Formula 1 battle on our hands.

Unless those Ferrari upstarts have something to say about it.

Full results for F1 from Bahrain online here.