Bahrain's Fastest Lap: Breaking Records, Pushing Limits

The Bahrain International Circuit is a 5.412km motorsport venue in Bahrain that has hosted the annual Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix since 2004, with the exception of 2011 due to civil unrest. The fastest lap record at the Bahrain GP is held by Pedro de la Rosa, who set a time of 1:31.447 in 2005. De la Rosa's record has remained unbroken since, even as the track underwent slight reconfiguration in 2005, making the overall track length shorter. The Bahrain International Circuit is known for its high speeds, with an overall average speed of 170kph (105mph).

Pedro de la Rosa's 2005 record

Pedro Martínez de la Rosa is a Spanish former racing driver, motorsport executive, and broadcaster. He competed in Formula One between 1999 and 2012, participating in 107 Grands Prix for the Arrows, Jaguar, McLaren, Sauber, and HRT teams.

De la Rosa made his Formula One debut on 7 March 1999 and became one of 79 drivers to score a point in his first race. He scored a total of 35 championship points throughout his career, including a podium finish at the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix. He is the first Spanish racing driver to win a National Championship in Japan's open-wheel racing history.

De la Rosa's connection to the Bahrain International Circuit stems from his participation in the 2005 Bahrain Grand Prix. This race holds particular significance for de la Rosa as he set a lap record during this event, which stood as of February 2024. The 2005 Bahrain Grand Prix, officially known as the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, was held on April 3, 2005, at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. It marked the third round of the 2005 Formula One season and the second running of the Bahrain Grand Prix since its inception the previous year.

De la Rosa's presence at this race was due to him replacing Juan Pablo Montoya, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury. Driving for the McLaren team, de la Rosa finished fifth in the race and set a remarkable lap record. This achievement is made even more impressive considering the challenging conditions of the race, with high temperatures and dusty conditions, as it was only the second Formula One Grand Prix held in the Middle East.

The Bahrain International Circuit itself is a 5.412 km (3.363 mi) motorsport venue that opened in 2004. It is known for hosting various prestigious racing events, including the annual Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix. The circuit has undergone slight modifications over the years, including a realignment of turn four before the 2005 race, reducing its overall length by 5 meters.

2022 winner and fastest lap

The 2022 Formula 1 Gulf Air 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 also achieved a hat-trick with pole position, race win, and fastest lap. Leclerc's blistering time of 1:34.570 on lap 51 could not be beaten by any other driver, even with their use of soft tyres. This win marked the end of Ferrari's 45-race winless streak, with teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. finishing in second place.

Leclerc's impressive performance in the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix was a testament to his skill and the Ferrari team's improvements. The race also held significance as the debut of Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese driver to race in Formula One, who finished in tenth place and earned points for his country.

The Bahrain International Circuit is renowned for its high speeds, with an overall average speed of 170 kph (105 mph). The track has hosted the majority of the Bahrain Grands Prix, including the 2022 race, which served as the season opener for the Formula One World Championship.

The DHL Fastest Lap Award, sponsored by DHL, the world's leading logistics provider, and Official Logistics Partner of Formula 1, recognises the pure speed and talent of the drivers. The award is given to the driver who consistently sets the fastest laps across different races, showcasing their exceptional performance throughout the season.

Lewis Hamilton's five wins

The Bahrain International Circuit is a 5.412km (3.363mi) motorsport venue that opened in 2004. It is located in the middle of a desert and hosts the annual Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix.

Now, here is some information on Lewis Hamilton's five wins, with a focus on his five victories at the Bahrain Grand Prix:

2014 Bahrain Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton clinched his second victory of the 2014 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix, fending off his Mercedes teammate, Nico Rosberg. A late safety car period meant that Hamilton had to keep Rosberg at bay a second time, with the latter on softer, grippier tyres. In a thrilling 10-lap sprint to the finish, Hamilton managed to keep Rosberg behind, finishing just over a second ahead of him.

2019 Bahrain Grand Prix

Hamilton won the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2019 after an engine problem struck Charles Leclerc's Ferrari towards the end of the race. Leclerc had dominated the race after retaking the lead following a poor start, but an issue with his hybrid system allowed Hamilton to close an eight-second gap within three laps and sweep by for his first win of the 2019 season with nine laps remaining.

2021 Bahrain Grand Prix

In 2021, Hamilton won the Bahrain Grand Prix after an intense battle with Max Verstappen. Verstappen took the lead from Hamilton with four laps to go but had to hand the position back due to overtaking by running off the track. Despite his complaints, Verstappen obeyed the orders and never quite got close enough to challenge Hamilton again, resulting in Hamilton's 96th career victory.

2007 United States Grand Prix

While not a win in Bahrain, this race is considered one of Hamilton's five best Formula One victories. At the Indianapolis circuit, Hamilton fended off his teammate Fernando Alonso's overtaking attempt around the outside of turn one. The pressure from Alonso continued throughout the race, with Hamilton managing to hold off the Spaniard until the chequered flag.

2008 British Grand Prix

At a rain-soaked Silverstone circuit, Hamilton took his inaugural British Grand Prix victory by over 68 seconds. He lapped everyone except the podium finishers, cementing his reputation as a wet race ace. This win was critical for his 2008 championship campaign, as a strong finish by his rival, Felipe Massa, could have cost Hamilton his first driver's title.

Tyre degradation

To manage tyre degradation, racing teams employ a range of strategies. One common approach is to choose the right type of tyre compound for the specific track and conditions. Tyre compounds vary in hardness, with softer compounds offering more grip but wearing out faster, while harder compounds are more durable but provide less grip. Teams must carefully consider the trade-off between grip and durability when selecting tyre compounds for a race.

Another strategy to mitigate tyre degradation is tyre management during the race. This involves monitoring tyre wear and adjusting driving styles or car settings to minimise the impact on the tyres. This might include adjusting brake balance, ride height, or tyre pressure to reduce the stress on the tyres and prolong their life. Additionally, teams may plan strategic pit stops to change tyres at optimal times, ensuring fresh tyres are mounted at the right moments to maintain performance.

In the case of the Bahrain International Circuit, the high tyre degradation caused by the abrasive surface often leads to teams adopting more aggressive tyre management strategies. This may involve selecting softer tyre compounds to maximise grip and speed, despite the faster degradation, and planning additional pit stops to change tyres more frequently. By doing so, teams can maintain the performance and competitiveness of their cars throughout the race, even at the cost of additional pit stops.

Bahrain GP controversies

The Bahrain Grand Prix has been a fixture on the Formula One calendar since 2004, with the exception of 2011 when it was cancelled due to the Bahraini protests and uprising. However, the race has also been the subject of several controversies over the years.

One notable controversy surrounding the Bahrain GP relates to human rights abuses. Human rights activists called for the cancellation of the 2012 race due to reports of excessive force, torture, and killings by the Bahraini authorities. Team personnel also expressed concerns about safety. Despite these protests, the race went ahead as planned, and it has been accused of sportswashing by human rights groups. In the lead-up to the 2020 race, a consortium of human rights organizations wrote to Formula One, stating that the race had become a focal point of protests and human rights abuses in the country. In response, the Bahraini government denied allegations of sportswashing.

Another controversy occurred in 2021 when the Bahrain GP was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The race was originally set to take place on 22 March but was postponed indefinitely. It was eventually rescheduled for 29 November, causing backlash from human rights organizations and F1's newly crowned world champion, Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton called on F1 to confront the human rights issues in the countries it visits.

In addition to these controversies, the Bahrain GP has also faced criticism for the large run-off areas on the course, which some believe do not sufficiently punish drivers who stray off the track. However, these areas help to prevent sand from getting onto the track.

Aside from these off-track issues, the Bahrain GP has also been the site of several notable incidents and controversies on the track. One such incident occurred during the 2022 race when Red Bull driver Max Verstappen was able to overtake Hamilton on the last lap due to a controversial safety car restart. This enabled Verstappen to win the race and secure his first Drivers' Championship, denying Hamilton a record-breaking eighth title. As a result of this controversy, the Formula One race director, Michael Masi, was removed from his position.

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