Timetable Bahrain Grand Prix
  • Friday 29 March 2019
  • Practice 1 14:00-15:30
  • Practice 2 18:00-19:30
  • Saturday 30 March 2019
  • Practice 3 15:00-16:00
  • Qualifying 18:00-19:00
  • Sunday 31 March 2019
  • Race 18:10

Bahrain International Circuit - Bahrain Grand Prix

Bahrain International Circuit

Bahrain International Circuit, located in Sakhir in the southern part of the Kingdom of Bahrain, was purpose built for Formula 1 and is considered to be one of the safest tracks in the world thanks to the giant run-off areas. The track's width and layout also encourages safe overtaking. The track is 5.41 kilometers long, the race consisting of 57 laps, giving a total distance of 308.24 kilometers. It is a curvy circuit with lots of kinks and gradient changes that are quite large in some areas. Braking late at the end of a long straight into the right-handed hairpin turn 4 might provide the best overtaking opportunity. Also, turn 1 after the start/finish straight is a great overtaking point.

The Bahrain circuit has one of the most unique surroundings on the Formula One calendar due to its location in the middle of a desert. Sand on the circuit can result in loss of grip in the turns and additional thermal problems, if it gets into the car. The engines air filters are thoroughly checked and more often changed than usual to avoid the intrusion of sand particles. Rumours says that organizers are trying to keep the sand away by spraying an adhesive on the sand around the track. Surprisingly the gravel used for building the race track was imported all the way from Wales.

The 2004 Bahrain Grand Prix, won by Michael Schumacher for Ferrari just 1.3 seconds ahead of his Brazilian team-mate Rubens Barrichello, made history as the first Formula One Grand Prix to be held in the Middle East. Drinking alcohol is not banned in Bahrain, but in deference to the Bahrain's Islamic rulers, winners of the Bahrain Grand Prix do not get to spray champagne on the podium. Instead the race organisers provide the drivers with Waard, a local non-alcoholic beverage made from rosewater and pomegranates.

A virtual lap of Bahrain International Circuit