The first race took place at the Bahrain International Circuit on 4 April 2004. It made history as the first Formula One Grand Prix to be held in the Middle East.
The Bahrain Grand Prix has usually been the third race of the Formula One calendar. However, in the 2006 season, Bahrain swapped places with the traditional opener, the Australian Grand Prix, which was pushed back to avoid a clash with the Commonwealth Games. In 2010, Bahrain staged the opening race of the 2010 season and the cars drove the full 6.299 km (3.914 mi) “Endurance Circuit” to celebrate F1’s ‘diamond jubilee’.
In 2014, to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the first staging of the Bahrain Grand Prix, the race was held as a night event under floodlights. In so doing it became the second Formula One night race after the Singapore Grand Prix in 2008. Bahrain’s inaugural night event was won by Lewis Hamilton. Subsequent races have also been night races.
Shortly after the Formula One February 2014 testing, Grand Prix organizers for Bahrain announced a decision to name the first corner of the iconic track after former seven-time champion German driver Michael Schumacher in honour of his achievements and also in support after the driver suffered an almost fatal skiing accident late December 2013.
Bahrain Grand Prix, Round Two of the 2019 Formula 1 season
Circuit Name: Bahrain International Circuit (Permanent Circuit)
Race Laps: 57
Circuit Length: 5.412 km (3.363 mi)
Race Length: 308.405 km (191.634 mi)
Number of corners: 15 (9 Right, 6 Left)
Circuit direction: Clockwise
Distance from pole to T1 apex: 346.1 m
Pole position 2018: Sebastian Vettel – Ferrari 1:27.958
Pole position side: Left
Pit lane length under speed limit control: 420.1 m
Drive-through time at 80 km/h: 18.9s
Lap time at full throttle: 64%
Lap distance at full throttle: 75%
Gear changes per lap: 56
Braking events (>2G): 7
Heavy braking events (4G): 4
Fuel consumption: Medium
Maximum lateral G-force: 4.0 (T7)
Maximum speed: 325.6 km/h
Track evolution (P1 – Qualifying): Medium
DRS zones: T3-4/ T10-11 / T15-1
Key overtaking opportunities: T1 / T4 / T11
Race lap record: 1:31.447 – Pedro de la Rosa, Mclraen-Mercedes 2005
Absolute lap record: 1:27.958 Sebastian Vettel – Ferrari, Q3, 2018
Bahrain International Circuit
Pirelli used compounds
Tyres that must be available (one of them to be used) at some point in the race:
One set of Hard C1 (White)
One set of Medium C2 (Yellow)
Tyres assigned for Q3 in qualifying:
One set of Soft C3 (Red)
Teams/Drivers compounds choice
|
Nbr |
Driver |
Hard C1 |
Medium C2 |
Soft C3 |
|
44 |
Lewis Hamilton |
1 |
3 |
9 |
|
77 |
Valtteri Bottas |
1 |
3 |
9 |
|
5 |
Sebastian Vettel |
1 |
3 |
9 |
|
16 |
Charles Leclrec |
1 |
3 |
9 |
|
33 |
Max Verstappen |
1 |
3 |
9 |
|
10 |
Pierre Gasly |
2 |
3 |
8 |
|
3 |
Daniel Ricciardo |
2 |
1 |
10 |
|
27 |
Nico Hulkenberg |
1 |
2 |
10 |
|
20 |
Kevin Magnussen |
1 |
3 |
9 |
|
8 |
Romain Grosjean |
2 |
2 |
9 |
|
55 |
Carlos Sainz |
2 |
3 |
8 |
|
4 |
Lando Norris |
2 |
3 |
8 |
|
11 |
Sergio Perez |
1 |
3 |
9 |
|
18 |
Lance Stroll |
1 |
3 |
9 |
|
7 |
Kimi Raikkonen |
1 |
3 |
9 |
|
99 |
Antonio Giovinazzi |
1 |
3 |
9 |
|
26 |
Daniil Kvyat |
1 |
2 |
10 |
|
23 |
Alexander Albon |
1 |
2 |
10 |
|
63 |
George Russell |
2 |
3 |
8 |
|
88 |
Robert Kubica |
1 |
4 |
8 |
THE CIRCUIT FROM A TYRE POINT OF VIEW:
- The track surface at Bahrain is very abrasive, having originally been build using granite from England: one of the reasons why the hardest compounds are selected.
- Track temperatures can fall quite dramatically as the race heads into the evening. This can have an effect on strategy as well, by lengthening the stints.
- A one-stopper was the winning strategy last year in Bahrain, although most drivers stopped twice. The race came down a highly tactical battle, with many drivers completing long stints.
- Bahrain is all about acceleration, braking and traction rather than fast corners, and it is a rear-limited track – making it important to look after the rear tyres.
- The late afternoon race and qualifying means that FP2 is the only directly relevant free practice session, so the majority of simulation work will be compressed into those 90 minutes.
MARIO ISOLA – HEAD OF CAR RACING
“We have seen some exciting tactical battles previously in Bahrain, notably last year, and hopefully there is even more potential for that this year. The C1 and C2 compounds that are the hard and medium choices this weekend are actually a little softer than the hard and medium tyres last year, which should make them even more well suited to the track. Although the key to Bahrain is managing the rear tyres, not many teams have chosen an extra set of the hard compound. As always, the challenge consists of dealing with the traction demands on a variable track with falling temperatures, as well as the roughest asphalt of the year”.
SAKHIR MINIMUM STARTING PRESSURES AND EOS CAMBER LIMIT (SLICKS)
Bahrain Grand Prix Winners 2004 – 2018
|
Year |
Driver |
Constructor |
Configuration |
|
2018 |
Sebastian Vettel |
Ferrari |
Sakhir Grand Prix Circuit |
|
2017 |
Sebastian Vettel |
Ferrari |
|
|
2016 |
Nico Rosberg |
Mercedes |
|
|
2015 |
Lewis Hamilton |
Mercedes |
|
|
2014 |
Lewis Hamilton |
Mercedes |
|
|
2013 |
Sebastian Vettel |
Red Bull-Renault |
|
|
2012 |
Sebastian Vettel |
Red Bull-Renault |
|
|
2011 |
Not held |
||
|
2010 |
Fernando Alonso |
Ferrari |
Sakhir Endurance Circuit |
|
2009 |
Jenson Button |
Brawn-Mercedes |
Sakhir Grand Prix Circuit |
|
2008 |
Felipe Massa |
Ferrari |
|
|
2007 |
Felipe Massa |
Ferrari |
|
|
2006 |
Fernando Alonso |
Renault |
|
|
2005 |
Fernando Alonso |
Renault |
|
|
2004 |
Michael Schumacher |
Ferrari |
|
Multiple Winners (Drivers)
|
Wins |
Constructor |
Years |
|
6 |
Ferrari |
2004, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2017, 2018 |
|
3 |
Mercedes |
2014, 2015, 2016 |
|
2 |
Renault |
2005, 2006 |
|
Red Bull |
2012, 2013 |
Multiple Winners (Constructors)
|
wins |
Driver |
Years |
|
4 |
Sebastian Vettel |
2012, 2013, 2017, 2018 |
|
3 |
Fernando Alonso |
2005, 2006, 2010 |
|
2 |
Felipe Massa |
2007, 2008 |
|
Sebastian Vettel |
2012, 2013 |
|
|
Lewis Hamilton |
2014, 2015 |
Numbers and Facts
Most wins (driver) 4 / Vettel 2012 – 2013 – 2017 – 2018
Most wins (constructor) 6 / Ferrari 2004 – 2007 – 2008 – 2010 – 2017 – 2018
Wins from pole position 6 / Most recent 2018 (Vettel – Ferrari)
Lowest grid for past winner 4 Alonso 2006 and Button 2009
Most recent 1-2 finish 2014 Hamilton – Rosberg (Mercedes
Most emphatic win (here) 16.099 / 2010 (Alonso – Massa)
Closest winning margin 1.085 / 2014 (Hamilton – Rosberg)
Rain affected races 1 / 2004
Safety Car-affected races 4 / 2007 – 2014 – 2017 – 2018
Most podiums (driver) 8 Raikkonen
Most podiums (constructor) 13 Ferrari
Most pole positions (driver) 3 Vettel 2010 – 2011 – 2018
Most pole positions (constructor) 5 Mercedes 2013 – 2014 – 2015 – 2016 – 2017
What Happened last race here?
In the race, Bottas overtook Räikkönen at the start whilst Vettel soared into the lead. Following the pit stops, Vettel kept his lead and was able to hold off Bottas in the final stages despite running on older, softer tyres, taking victory and his second consecutive win of the season. Hamilton, meanwhile, made his way through the midfield after he slightly fell behind at the start, while the retirements of Räikkönen, Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen promoted him to third, completing the podium.
2018 Race Classification
|
Pos. |
Driver |
Constructor |
Laps |
Time/Retired |
Grid |
|
1 |
Sebastian Vettel |
Ferrari |
57 |
1:32:01.940 |
1 |
|
2 |
Valtteri Bottas |
Mercedes |
57 |
+0.699 |
3 |
|
3 |
Lewis Hamilton |
Mercedes |
57 |
+6.512 |
9 |
|
4 |
Pierre Gasly |
Scuderia Toro Rosso-Honda |
57 |
+1:02.234 |
5 |
|
5 |
Kevin Magnussen |
Haas-Ferrari |
57 |
+1:15.046 |
6 |
|
6 |
Nico Hülkenberg |
Renault |
57 |
+1:39.024 |
7 |
|
7 |
Fernando Alonso |
McLaren-Renault |
56 |
+1 lap |
13 |
|
8 |
Stoffel Vandoorne |
McLaren-Renault |
56 |
+1 lap |
14 |
|
9 |
Marcus Ericsson |
Sauber-Ferrari |
56 |
+1 lap |
17 |
|
10 |
Esteban Ocon |
Force India-Mercedes |
56 |
+1 lap |
8 |
|
11 |
Carlos Sainz Jr. |
Renault |
56 |
+1 lap |
10 |
|
12 |
Charles Leclerc |
Sauber-Ferrari |
56 |
+1 lap |
19 |
|
13 |
Romain Grosjean |
Haas-Ferrari |
56 |
+1 lap |
16 |
|
14 |
Lance Stroll |
Williams-Mercedes |
56 |
+1 lap |
20 |
|
15 |
Sergey Sirotkin |
Williams-Mercedes |
56 |
+1 lap |
18 |
|
16 |
Sergio Pérez |
Force India-Mercedes |
56 |
+1 lap |
12 |
|
17 |
Brendon Hartley |
Scuderia Toro Rosso-Honda |
56 |
+1 lap |
11 |
|
Ret |
Kimi Räikkönen |
Ferrari |
35 |
Wheel |
2 |
|
Ret |
Max Verstappen |
Red Bull Racing-TAG Heuer |
3 |
Transmission |
15 |
|
Ret |
Daniel Ricciardo |
Red Bull Racing-TAG Heuer |
1 |
Electrics |
4 |
|
– Sergio Pérez originally finished in twelfth place but had thirty seconds added to race time for overtaking on the formation lap. |
|||||
|
– Brendon Hartley originally finished in thirteenth place but had thirty seconds added to race time for failing to retake his original starting position before reaching the safety-car line on the formation lap. |
|||||
Did you know?
DRIVERS
✪ Valtteri Bottas set fastest lap 7 times last season. It is the same number of set in 2018 by Hamilton, Vettel and Verstappen combined
✪ Bottas has finished 1 more Grand Prix in the points than Mika Hakkinen (84:83)
✪ Lewis Hamilton has won 31.7% of all GP he’s started (73 wins from 230 starts) and is in the top 10 drivers races to win ratio of all-time. Here’s how he compares:- 1Fangio 47.0%, 2. Ascari 40.6%, 3. Clark 34.7%, 4.L.Hamilton 31.7%, 5. M. Schumacher 29.7%, 6. Ja. Stewart 27.2%, 7. Prost 25.6%, 8. A. Senna 25.5%, Moss 24.2%, 10. Vettel 23.6% (52/220)
✪ Hamilton is now the 10th most experienced (WC) Grand Prix driver of all-time in terms of number of races started (230). Next on the list is 9th-best DC (246). The most experienced driver of all-time is Rubens Barrichello (325).
✪ Hamilton needs a podium result in all 21 races this season if he is to equal Michael Schumacher’s al-timerecord of 155 F1 podiums
✪ Max Verstappen has already beaten Ayrton Senna’s career F1 World Championship points total (Senna 614, Verstappen currently 670)
✪ Verstappen will be looking to continue his run of podium finishes (6 so far) that began in Japan last season
✪ Sebastian Vettel will have to wait until at least Azerbaijan to lead 100 Grand Prix. He has to date led 98 (Grand Prix)
✪ Nico Hulkenberg needs just 2 more championship points to equal Nigel Mansell’s F1 career total of 482 (F1 World Championship points)
✪ Alexander Albon was 23 on 23rd March
CONSTRUCTORS
✪ Mercedes scored their 102nd F1 World Championship pole position in Australia. The total is the 5th highest in the history of the championship. Mercedes’s next target is
4th-best Lotus with 107 pole positions. Top all-time is Ferrari with 219
✪ Next win for Mercedes will be their 75th on Pirelli tyres (their 74 wins to date is already the most by any constructor on the Italian rubber)
✪ Mercedes aiming in 2019 to equal Ferrari’s all-time record of 6 Constructor World titles in a row (Ferrari 1999-2004)
✪ Ferrari was the only team to score championship points in all 21 races last season
✪ Bahrain marks the 200th race since Scuderia Toro Rosso scored their one and only, pole, win and podium to date (Monza 2008)
✪ Bahrain marks the 700th race for Williams (taken from 1978 when WGPE first became a constructor)
Driver’s Championship standing
|
Pos |
Driver |
Pts |
|
1 |
Valtteri Bottas |
26 |
|
2 |
Lewis Hamilton |
18 |
|
3 |
Max Verstappen |
15 |
|
4 |
Sebastian Vettel |
12 |
|
5 |
Charles Leclerc |
10 |
|
6 |
Kevin Magnussen |
8 |
|
7 |
Nico Hülkenberg |
6 |
|
8 |
Kimi Räikkönen |
4 |
|
9 |
Lance Stroll |
2 |
|
10 |
Daniil Kvyat |
1 |
|
11 |
Pierre Gasly |
0 |
|
12 |
Lando Norris |
0 |
|
13 |
Sergio Pérez |
0 |
|
14 |
Alexander Albon |
0 |
|
15 |
Antonio Giovinazzi |
0 |
|
16 |
George Russell |
0 |
|
17 |
Robert Kubica |
0 |
|
18 |
Romain Grosjean |
0 |
|
19 |
Daniel Ricciardo |
0 |
|
20 |
Carlos Sainz Jr. |
0 |
Constructor’s Championship standing
|
Pos. |
Team |
Pts |
|
1 |
Mercedes |
44 |
|
2 |
Ferrari |
22 |
|
3 |
Red Bull Racing Honda |
15 |
|
4 |
Haas Ferrari |
8 |
|
5 |
Renault |
6 |
|
6 |
Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari |
4 |
|
7 |
Racing Point Mercedes |
2 |
|
8 |
Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda |
1 |
|
9 |
Mclaren Renault |
0 |
|
10 |
Williams Mercedes |
0 |
Driver’s penalty points:
|
Driver |
Penalty points |
|
Romain Grosjean |
7 |
|
Max Verstappen |
7 |
|
Lance Stroll |
7 |
|
Sergio Perez |
5 |
|
Sebastian Vettel |
5 |
|
Pierre Gasly |
4 |
|
Valtteri Bottas |
4 |
|
Nico Hulkenberg |
3 |
|
Carlos Sainz |
3 |
|
Kevin Magnussen |
2 |
|
Kimi Raikkonen |
2 |
