The Bahrain Grand Prix was the first Formula 1 race to be staged in the Middle East, as part of the government’s desire to promote tourism.
The Bahrain GP has been staged since 2004, when Michael Schumacher won from Rubens Barrichello. It has been held 16 times, with the race cancelled in 2011 due to a socio-political crisis.
All the races have been held at the Bahrain International Circuit, located in the desert to south of the capital, Manama. The Bahrain GP means sun, heat and duels in the desert. The archipelago which makes up the Kingdom of Bahrain is made up of 33 islands, featuring many classy resort.
Motor sport fans can get behind the wheel themselves, as there’s a world class kart track alongside the F1 circuit. The Scuderia AlphaTauri crew has raced there and can attest that it’s great fun.
Bahrain GP Particularities
For the F1 circus, driving to the Sakhir circuit can involve spotting camels alongside the road.
For the engineers, there is the more serious task of working out how to keep sand out of the engine and other components, although in recent years, a sophisticated track cleaning machine has meant this is less of a problem.
The Sakhir Circuit has been the only venue for this race, although they did try a longer track layout one year, but abandoned it as unsuccessful.
The 2021 season started in Bahrain, the race being won by Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) ahead of Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) the Finn also setting the fastest race lap.
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 26: Pierre Gasly of France driving the (10) Scuderia AlphaTauri AT02 Honda on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on March 26, 2021 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202103260783 // Usage for editorial use only //
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 27: Pierre Gasly of France driving the (10) Scuderia AlphaTauri AT02 Honda leads Yuki Tsunoda of Japan driving the (22) Scuderia AlphaTauri AT02 Honda on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on March 27, 2021 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202103270183 // Usage for editorial use only //
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 28: Pierre Gasly of France driving the (10) Scuderia AlphaTauri AT02 Honda on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on March 28, 2021 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202103280217 // Usage for editorial use only //
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 25: Yuki Tsunoda of Scuderia AlphaTauri and Japan during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on March 25, 2021 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202103250834 // Usage for editorial use only //
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 27: Yuki Tsunoda of Japan driving the (22) Scuderia AlphaTauri AT02 Honda leaves the garage during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on March 27, 2021 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202103270299 // Usage for editorial use only //
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 26: Pierre Gasly of Scuderia AlphaTauri and France during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on March 26, 2021 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202103260726 // Usage for editorial use only //
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 28: Carine Cridelich of Scuderia AlphaTauri looks on from the pitwall during the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on March 28, 2021 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202103280348 // Usage for editorial use only //
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 28: Pierre Gasly of Scuderia AlphaTauri and France during the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on March 28, 2021 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202103280286 // Usage for editorial use only //
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 28: Scuderia AlphaTauri Team Principal Franz Tost looks on from the pitwall prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on March 28, 2021 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202103280118 // Usage for editorial use only //
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 26: Pierre Gasly of Scuderia AlphaTauri and France during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on March 26, 2021 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202103260703 // Usage for editorial use only //
