More Bahrain Grand Prix news

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix 2021: What Are the Pirelli Tires Available for the Weekend?

Find out what tire compounds Pirelli has allocated to the F1 teams for the opening round of the season in Bahrain and why.

Sakhir Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel Not Yet Fully Comfortable With 2021 Aston Martin F1 Car

After an unimpressive testing weekend with Aston Martin, Sebastian Vettel gives a preview of the race before going into the Bahrain GP weekend.

Pre-Season Testing

‘Lewis Is Not Stupid’: Rosberg Confident Wolff’s Tactics Won’t Affect Hamilton’s F1 Title Campaign

Former Champion Nico Rosberg believes Lewis Hamilton will not be distracted by contract to fulfill his eventual goal of winning the title.

2018 FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX (13 September 2018) – Zone 1 – Paddock Club – Drivers’ Autograph Session

F1 Pundit Believes Daniel Ricciardo Has a Mercedes/Red Bull Exit Clause in McLaren Contract

F1 pitlane reporter Ted Kravitz believes Daniel Ricciardo has exit clause in his McLaren contract which could allow him to join a top team.

Pre-Season Testing

Ex-McLaren F1 Driver Warns Norris Amid Daniel Ricciardo Duel: “Pretty Ruthless on Track”

Former F1 driver David Coulthard is impressed by McLaren's signing of Daniel Ricciardo and thinks he would be a great complement to Norris.

Pre-Season Testing

F1 Schedule: Where to Watch and What Time Is the 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix?

The 2021 F1 season will start with the Bahrain Grand Prix. Here's a guide for UK and US viewers of when and where to catch the action.

F1 Pre-Season Testing

Lewis Hamilton “Will Have an Opportunity to Bow Out at the Top”: Russell

George Russell gives his opinion on what Lewis Hamilton might do after this season and discusses how he dealt with the 2020 Mercedes debut.

Bahrain Grand Prix

Aston Martin F1 in Serious Trouble for 2021? – ?Maybe Battling Alfa Romeo?

Aston Martin did not have a great outing in Bahrain which has led some to believe that they will be battling in low-midfield in 2021.

F1 Pre-Season Testing

Lewis Hamilton Admits ?It?s Going To Be Tough? After Unusual F1 Testing Struggles

Aston Martin did not have a great outing in Bahrain which has led some to believe that they will be battling in low-midfield in 2021.

F1 Grand Prix of USA

Yuki Tsunoda Reveals AlphaTauri Changed F1 Pedals Over Height Difference To Gasly

AlphaTauri driver Yuki Tsunoda revealed that his mechanics made a 'special' change to his car pedals because of height difference to Gasly.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Schumacher Acknowledges Mercedes’ Struggles in Bahrain – “An Absolute Horror”

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher acknowledged the struggles that the Mercedes team went through in pre-season testing in Bahrain.

F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi

What is Sandbagging & Why Are Mercedes Frequently Accused of Following This F1 Tactic?

Explaining the testing term 'sandbagging' and the reason why Mercedes are frequently given this label during F1 testing runs.

F1 Grand Prix of Mexico

via Reuters

Bahrain Grand Prix 2021 Winners, Qualifying, Circuits, Track

The Bahrain Grand Prix has become synonymous with F1 fans over the years as one of the opening rounds of the Championship season. Starting off as a day race back in 2004, the Sakhir International Circuit embraced nightfall in its 10th Anniversary race and has remained a night race ever since.

F1 raced on the Bahrain track's "outer layout", consisting of a fairly simple layout and long straights. Many fans and drivers dubbed the outer track an "oval", given the nature of its configuration. With minimal corners, there was plenty of overtaking opportunities in round 2 of the Bahrain race.

Michael Schumacher won the inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix in 2004, accompanied by Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button on the podium.

In 2011, F1 canceled the Bahrain event amidst the Bahraini uprising. Despite much opposition, F1 decided to hold a race at the Sakhir International Circuit the following year.

Ever since first experimenting with a night race in Bahrain in 2014, F1 has made the change stick for subsequent events. Bahrain arguably provides the best F1 spectacle amidst the desert under the lights.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Bahrain replaced the Australian GP as the season opener for the 2021 season. Lewis Hamilton won the first race of the 2021 season ahead of Max Verstappen and Valtteri Bottas.

Past Winners

NameWinsYear
Sebastian Vettel42012,2013,2017,2018
Fernando Alonso32005, 2006, 2010
Lewis Hamilton32014,2015,2019
Felipe Massa22007, 2008

Past Constructors' Winners

ManufacturerYear
Ferrari2004, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2017, 2018
Mercedes2014, 2015, 2016, 2019
Renault2005, 2006,
Red Bull2012, 2013

Track Details

The Sakhir International Circuit features a 5.412km long track designed by legendary F1 architect Hermann Tilke. The outer circuit, commonly referred to as 'The Oval,' features a 3.543km track minus the tricky braking zones and twisty bits of the conventional circuit.

One unique albeit frustrating aspect of the track are the sprawling run off areas, which ensures drivers aren't punished, should they make mistakes.

Unlike most F1 circuits, the Sakhir track features 3 DRS zones, which promote countless overtaking opportunities across the lap.

Where to watch

Those in Africa can tune in to SuperSport, Australians can watch the race on Fox Sports Channels or One.

Viewers from India and Asia can watch the race on Star Sports and Fox Sports Channels respectively.

Americans can enjoy the F1 spectacle on ESPN, while Brits can tune into C4 or Sky Sports.