Bahrain Grand Prix

The Bahrain Grand Prix is one of the flagship Formula 1 races held in the Middle East. It was also F1’s first race held in the region for the 2004 season at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Renowned circuit designer Hermann Tilke created the BIC in the middle of a desert. He took full advantage of the blank canvas to create a multi-layout venue used for a variety of series. The 5.4km (3.3m) Grand Prix track boasts sweeping corners and straights to aid overtaking.

Formula 1 and the Bahrain GP also moved to hold the race at night from the 2014 season. It had originally taken place in daylight but switched to mark the event’s 10th anniversary due to the scorching temperatures. The BIC installed 495 lighting poles around the track for it.

History of the F1 Bahrain GP

The Kingdom of Bahrain held Formula 1’s first Grand Prix in the Middle East in 2004. Ferrari dominated the round as Michael Schumacher led teammate Rubens Barrichello home for a one-two finish. But the BIC has often sparked fierce fights throughout the field on F1’s visits.

It was also the venue of the famous Duel in the Desert between then-Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in 2014. The pair contested a frantic exchange for the win whilst battling for the drivers’ title. Hamilton just came out on top despite having older tyres.

Hamilton is also among the most successful Formula 1 drivers in the history of the Bahrain GP. The Briton produced a dominant record at the BIC at the start of F1’s hybrid era. It was originally a Ferrari or Renault track, with their engines winning eight of the first nine events.

Despite Ferrari’s dominance in 2004, with third-place finisher Jenson Button 26 seconds off the pace, Renault responded through Fernando Alonso in 2005 and 2006. The Spaniard also became the first driver to win the Bahrain GP at multiple teams in 2010 as he won for Ferrari.

Additionally, the 2010 Bahrain GP was the first, and only, time that Formula 1 has raced on the BIC’s Endurance Circuit. It was the opening round of F1’s diamond jubilee season, too. But the 6.2km (3.9m) layout did not encourage great racing and drew widespread criticism.

Human rights groups have urged F1 to cancel the Bahrain GP

The Bahrain GP has also drawn widespread criticism throughout Formula 1’s time racing in Bahrain. F1 even cancelled the 2011 event following protests in the country. Human rights groups have also regularly urged Formula 1 to cancel the event over issues in the country.

F1 returned to the BIC for the 2012 Bahrain GP despite ongoing protests in the country. An array of Formula 1 teams even wanted the 2012 event to be cancelled or postponed, while a prominent human rights group wrote to Formula 1 raising concerns about the 2023 event.

A report by CNN in February 2023 noted that the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) urged F1 and the FIA not to ‘sportswash the blood-soaked images’ of Bahrain. F1 has always argued that it races in Bahrain to encourage positive cultural and economic changes.

What is the Bahrain International Circuit like?

Outside of the 2011 Bahrain GP when Formula 1 raced on the Endurance Circuit, the BIC has hosted F1 events on its Grand Prix circuit. It is one of six potential layouts for the circuit. The BIC also used its Outer Circuit to host the 2020 Sakhir GP amid the Covid-impacted season.

The Grand Prix circuit that Formula 1 adopts for the Bahrain GP is a clockwise track featuring 15 corners. It uses nine right-handed corners and six left-handed corners over 5.4km (3.3m) of track. The circuit further features four long straights aimed toward promoting overtaking.

Construction of the Tilke-designed venue began in December 2002 after Bahrain secured its slot on the 2004 F1 calendar. The BIC later installed 495 lighting poles around its track for the 2014 race. Each light sits from 10 to 45 metres above the ground to provide clear vision.

Overtaking chances are plentiful throughout the BIC with moves possible into Turns 1, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11 and 14. Drivers can also fight through the Turn 1 and 2 sequence, between Turns 5 and 8, through Turns 9 and 10, and from Turn 11 to 13 with a good run on the driver ahead.

Winners of the F1 Bahrain GP