Defending series champion Jamie Whincup has continued his perfect start to the 2010 V8 Supercar Championship.

Whincup has won race one of the Desert 400 in Bahrain to extend his lead in the championship. Mark Winterbottom finished second, with Whincup's team-mate and series veteran Craig Lowndes third.

Young New Zealand driver Shane van Gisbergen has consolidated his place in the Championship with a fifth place finish.

The 20-year-old started from second on the grid before dropping off the pace.

There were four other New Zealand drivers in the race. Greg Murphy finished 16th in his first race of the season after he missed the opening round to take part in Top Gear Live. Fabian Coulthard was 17th, Jason Richards 19th and Daniel Gaunt 26th.