Bahrain Grand Prix: Bbc Coverage And Viewing Options

The Bahrain Grand Prix is a Formula 1 race held in the Kingdom of Bahrain, a tiny Gulf state made up of 33 islands in the Persian Gulf. The race has been hosted at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir since 2004, when it became the first Middle Eastern state to host a race. The event has been covered by BBC Sport, with live digital coverage on its website and app, as well as radio commentary. In 2024, Red Bull's Max Verstappen took pole position and went on to dominate the race, with a crushing victory over his rivals.

Max Verstappen wins the Bahrain Grand Prix

Max Verstappen took the chequered flag at the Bahrain Grand Prix, starting the 2024 Formula 1 season with a dominant victory for Red Bull. The reigning world champion led for all 57 laps of the race, finishing ahead of teammate Sergio Perez in second and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz in third.

Verstappen's win in Bahrain was his 55th career victory and his eighth in a row. He had also secured pole position for the race, finishing ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Mercedes' George Russell in second and third respectively during qualifying.

The Bahrain Grand Prix was the season opener, taking place on 2 March. The race was held in the evening, starting shortly after sunset, as it has done since 2014. The event was first hosted in 2004, and Bahrain has extended its contract to host the Grand Prix until at least 2036.

The Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, described the race as a "very clinical" performance by Verstappen and Perez, adding that it was the "best possible start to the season".

Verstappen himself said the win was "super enjoyable", adding that it was "a good start to the year" and "couldn't be better". He also said that he felt "good in the car" and that it was "very special to have days like today", when everything was functioning well with the vehicle.

The Bahrain Grand Prix was not without controversy, however. In the lead-up to the race, Horner denied allegations made against him. Meanwhile, the event itself has been a source of controversy since 2011, when protests and civil unrest in the country led to its postponement and eventual cancellation.

Charles Leclerc comes second in the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix

The 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix was held on 20 March 2022 at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. The race was won by Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, who started from pole position. This was his first win since the 2019 Italian Grand Prix. Leclerc's teammate, Carlos Sainz Jr., finished second, followed by Lewis Hamilton in third.

Leclerc's victory at the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix marked the end of Ferrari's 45-race winless streak, with the team claiming a one-two finish. The race also saw the debut of Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese driver to race and score points in Formula One.

Leclerc's win in Bahrain was a significant boost for Ferrari, who had been struggling in previous seasons. The Monégasque driver led all but two laps and scored a hat-trick with pole, race win, and fastest lap, falling just short of a grand slam.

The race was not without drama, with safety cars being deployed and some teams experiencing fuel problems. Reigning champion Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez of Red Bull both retired from podium positions late in the race due to fuel system issues. Despite this setback, Red Bull's team principal, Christian Horner, remained optimistic about the car's competitiveness.

Leclerc's impressive performance in the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix set the tone for the rest of the season. He went on to have a strong year, finishing as the runner-up in the 2022 Formula One World Drivers' Championship.

Bahrain hosts the Grand Prix until 2036

The Bahrain Grand Prix has been hosted by the nation since 2004, when it became the first Middle Eastern state to do so. The race has been held every year since, except in 2011, when it was cancelled due to the Bahraini protests. The Bahrain Grand Prix has been the subject of some controversy, with human rights activists calling for its cancellation in 2012 due to reports of human rights abuses committed by the Bahraini authorities.

Despite this, the race has continued and, in February 2022, it was announced that the event's contract had been extended until the 2036 Formula One season. This deal is the longest F1 has with any circuit, ensuring the race remains on the calendar for the next 14 years.

The 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix took place on 2 March and was won by Red Bull's Max Verstappen. The race was broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and the BBC Sounds app, with live digital coverage on the BBC Sport website and app.

Protests in Bahrain threaten to disrupt the Grand Prix

Protests broke out in the capital of Manama on 14 February 2011 when campaigners occupied an iconic landmark, the Pearl Roundabout. They wanted reform and democracy in a country ruled by the royal al-Khalifa family for over 200 years. Many, but not all, of the protesters were Shia Muslims, who make up the majority of the population in Bahrain. Shia Bahrainis have long complained of discrimination, high unemployment, and inadequate housing in a country that grew rich from oil.

In the 1990s, there was a widespread crackdown on Shia religious leaders, opposition political figures, and human rights activists, with arbitrary arrests and abuse in detention. However, the situation improved dramatically when a new king came to power in 1999, bringing with him a promise of reform. Parliamentary elections, the relaxation of press restrictions, and economic reforms gave human rights activists and the Shia majority new optimism. It was in this climate of hope that Bahrain secured its place on the Formula 1 calendar.

The first race, held at the £94 million Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, was a huge success and passed off smoothly for several years. F1 in Bahrain was the brainchild of the King's son, Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, who was regarded as a moderniser and reformer. He saw the potential of an international event that would introduce the country to a global audience and position Bahrain as a progressive Gulf state.

However, the smooth ride hit a roadblock in 2011 when unrest forced the postponement and eventual cancellation of the Grand Prix. The occupation of Pearl Roundabout, which had initially been peaceful, turned bloody when the roundabout was forcibly cleared, leaving three dead and hundreds wounded. The government struggled to regain control as peaceful demonstrations continued, and the roundabout was re-occupied. It was only cleared when troops from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states entered the kingdom, a moment of humiliation for the Khalifa family.

In the aftermath of the GCC intervention and race cancellation, more than 50 people lost their lives, including five security officers. Hundreds were arrested, and scores were tortured and convicted in front of military tribunals. Over 4,000 people were sacked from their jobs, including 29 employees at the Sakhir track, the vast majority of whom were Shia. An international outcry led to the King appointing a panel of human rights experts to investigate, resulting in a scathing report that the King accepted, promising sweeping reforms.

While the government claims to have overhauled legal and law enforcement systems and reinstated unfairly dismissed employees, critics argue that little has changed. They point to ongoing arrests, extra-judicial beatings of protesters, and heavy-handed use of tear gas. Last year's race went ahead but in an atmosphere of heightened security and tension, far removed from the celebratory mood of previous years. With a car blast in Manama just days before the race, protesters promising disruption, and ongoing unrest, the future of the Bahrain Grand Prix remains uncertain.

Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying and start times

The Bahrain Grand Prix is a huge event in the world of Formula 1 racing. The Gulf state has experienced some unrest in recent years, but it remains a popular location for the sport, with the country signing an extended contract to host a grand prix until at least 2036.

The 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix took place on 2 March, with Red Bull's Max Verstappen taking pole position and winning the race. The race started at 15:00 GMT.

Qualifying took place on 1 March, with Verstappen taking pole position, followed by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in second and Mercedes' George Russell in third.

The Bahrain Grand Prix is usually the season-opening race, but in 2024, it was the second race of the season, following the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The race was broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and the BBC Sounds app, with live digital coverage on the BBC Sport website and app.

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