Photo by MAZEN MAHDI / AFP

Formula 1 Preview: Bahrain Grand Prix

The Formula 1 World Championship begins with the Bahrain Grand Prix on the Sakhir circuit on Sunday (28 March). The Bahrain GP only joined the Formula 1 calendar in 2004. Back then, spectators could see a dominant Ferrari team, with Michael Schumacher finishing just ahead of Rubens Barrichello.

Bahrain Grand Prix
⏰ Sunday (March 28) | 4 p.m.
📺 Sky Sports

The Bahrain Grand Prix

Since 2014, the race takes place in the evening (local time). The riders also have to deal with the wind that often drags the desert sand onto the track, an event we have already witnessed a few weeks ago during the tests carried out on this track.

The last two editions of the Grand Prix have been won by Lewis Hamilton, while at the same time he holds the record for the number of victories together with Sebastian Vettel. Both drivers have triumphed 4 times each. Fernando Alonso, who faces his comeback in this year’s Formula 1 season, has three victories on this track.

Bahrain Grand Prix: Characteristics of the route

The circuit starts in Sakhir, on the outskirts of Manama, capital of Bahrain. The length of the track is equal to 5.412 kilometres (3.363 miles) and on it the drivers will cover 57 laps for a total of 308.238 kilometres (191.530 miles).

There are 9 right-hand bends and 6 left-hand bends. The sharpest one is turn 1 after the start straight, where the drivers break from a top speed of around 330 km/h down to just 80 km/h. The brakes therefore have a high mechanical and thermal stress during almost the entire Grand Prix.

The favourites

The man to beat will be Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton could become the solo driver with the most World Championships in the history of Formula 1. At the moment he is tied with Michael Schumacher. Both have won 7 World Championships.

The world champion will have to deal with his team-mate Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen who is achieving extraordinary times with his Red Bull and was the fastest in the recent testing days.

Among the other contenders, a great step forward has been made by McLaren. Utilizing a Mercedes engine, they are expected to go really strong with their drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris. The Aston Martins driven by Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel may also have their say.