Poll: Official 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix Thread - International Circuit, Sakhir - Race 4/24

[chrismscotland]

Sakhir
When was the track built?
Ground was broken for the Bahrain International Circuit in December 2002. Like the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, the developers had a blank, sandy canvas to work with, and with that fashioned the technical, 5.4km track designed by Hermann Tilke.

When was its first Grand Prix?
It was 2004 when the drivers first lined up under an unusually cloudy sky for the inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix. The race was dominated (like many in 2004) by the two Ferraris, with Michael Schumacher winning out from Rubens Barrichello, while the crowds were also treated to a fantastic dog-fight between the Jaguar of Mark Webber and the Renault of Fernando Alonso.

What’s the circuit like?
You can usually expect great racing and decent amounts of overtaking in Bahrain, while the drivers have to contend with wind, racing under floodlights and the difficulty of finding a decent set-up with the wide temperature fluctuations between sessions. The track’s most challenging point is the tight, downhill, off-camber Turn 10 left-hander, while the fast run through Turn 12 is another highlight, allowing the racers to really feel their cars coming alive.

Why go?
Given the nature of the track, race-goers in Bahrain have always got a decent chance of being treated to a 'duel in the desert' or three. Away from the race track, Bahrain, as you might expect, is a great place to catch some rays, with the 33-island archipelago kingdom featuring some jaw-dropping resorts. And if you want to do some racing yourself, the Bahrain International Karting Circuit, located right next to the track, is one of the world’s top karting facilities.

Where is the best place to watch?
Your options are slightly limited in Bahrain, given that the organisers understandably don’t want loads of fans having to traipse out into the middle of a hot desert to watch the action! We reckon your best bet is to get a place in the Batelco grandstand, giving you a great view of cars charging into Turn 8, hammering through 9 and 10 and then passing you on the run down to the short-apex Turn 11. Otherwise, the grandstand on the outside of Turns 1 and 2 will allow you to watch overtaking aplenty on either track layout.

Channel 4 Highlights
Saturday 12th April 2025 - Bahrain GP Qualifying Session Highlights - 20:30
Sunday 13th April 2025 - Bahrain Grand Prix Highlights - 22:05

Bahrain International Circuit Map

Weather Forecast (As at 06/04/2024)

Race Highlights

• 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix Highlights
• 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix Highlights
  2022 Bahrain Grand Prix Highlights
  2021 Bahrain Grand Prix Highlights

Championship Standings after Japan (Round 3)

2025 F1 Race Calendar

 

[Feek]

Thanks @chrismscotland

You can usually expect great racing and decent amounts of overtaking in Bahrain

I hope so!

 

[Quartz]

Let's hope that it's better than the snoozefest that was Suzuka.

 

[chrismscotland]

Thanks @chrismscotland



I hope so!

Straight from the F1 website...... they wouldn't lie....

 

[chrismscotland]

Let's hope that it's better than the snoozefest that was Suzuka.

I almost feel Bahrain is like Barcelona used to be, the teams use it for testing so there's almost nothing they don't know about it

 

[Mr Jack]

I like Bahrain considerably more when it's not the first race of the season. Hoping for a better race this weekend, and the next round of F2 and F2.

 

[SDK^]

Nice to have sensible timing for people in the UK

 

[GravyMonster]

3 races so far, 3 different winners. Odds on Leclerc, Hamilton or Russell making it 4 from 4?

 

[Quartz]

Are the F2 and F3 Suzuka races worth watching?

 

[Mr Jack]

Are the F2 and F3 Suzuka races worth watching?

They didn't race in Suzuka.

 

[Scam]

Nice to have sensible timing for people in the UK

First sensible time race and I'm out Sunday afternoon/evening

 

[chrismscotland]

They didn't race in Suzuka.

And they were still as exciting as the F1

 

[bayo000]

Nice to have sensible timing for people in the UK

Think next silly o'clock start is not till October

 

[Emlyn_Dewar]

11pm start for me, so I'll maybe be a little tired for Monday morning.
Actually thinking of taking the Monday morning off for Saudi and Miami, as I never watch these races due to the time. Wouldn't be worth it if it was a Suzuka situation, but feel like that wont be the case for them.

 

[Fluffybob]

I'm at a family event Saturday so hoping I can slip away early on Sunday to get back for the race, should be a close one

 

[chrismscotland]

Six rookies in for FP1 tomorrow

 

[Mr Jack]

Have they increased the number of FP1 sessions required for rookies this year? Seems unusual to have so many so early.

 

[chrismscotland]

Have they increased the number of FP1 sessions required for rookies this year? Seems unusual to have so many so early.

Yes, every driver now needs to give up their car for 2x FP1 sessions instead of just 1 in previous seasons.

Although I think "technically" the rookies themselves (Antonelli, Bortoleto, Hadjar and Doohan) met the criteria for at least Australia to "fulfil" the rookie requirement (less than 2x GP Starts) - no idea if any team actually registered that though.

Of course Lawson and Bearman wouldn't having done several races before.

 

[Scam]

Six rookies in for FP1 tomorrow

Why is Stewie2k driving for RB?

 

[Mr Jack]

Proper scorchio in Bahrain this weekend, quite a change for the drivers and teams from the first two races.