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The Bahrain Grand Prix is a Formula One motor racing event that takes place at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. The race has been held annually since 2004, except in 2011 when it was cancelled due to the Bahraini uprising. The circuit is located in the heart of the Sakhir desert and is known for being the first Formula One Grand Prix to be held in the Middle East. The race usually takes place in March or April, marking the beginning of the Formula One season on several occasions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Sakhir desert, Bahrain |
| Track Name | Bahrain International Circuit |
| Year of Construction | 2002 |
| Year of First F1 Race | 2004 |
| Number of Laps | 57 |
| Circuit Length | 5.412 km |
| Total Race Length | 308.238 km |
| Lap Record | 1:31.447 by Pedro de la Rosa in 2005 |
| Number of Corners | 15 |
| Number of Straights | 3 |
| DRS Zones | 3 |
| Race Date | 5 March 2023 |
| Winner of 2023 Race | Max Verstappen |
| Winner of 2022 Race | Charles Leclerc |
What You'll Learn
The Bahrain GP is held at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir
The Bahrain Grand Prix (Arabic: جائزة البحرين الكبرى) is a Formula One motor racing event held annually in Bahrain. The race usually occurs in March or April and has been a part of the Formula One calendar every year since 2004, except in 2011 due to the Bahraini protests.
The Bahrain International Circuit is located in the heart of the Sakhir desert, about 32km south of Manama, the capital of Bahrain. It is easily accessible by rental car, taxi, Uber, bus, or shuttle bus from Manama. The circuit is also conveniently located about 8km from the Bahrain International Airport (BAH).
The Bahrain GP has been a significant event in the Formula One calendar, making history as the first Formula One Grand Prix held in the Middle East. The race has also been held as a night race under floodlights since 2014, providing a spectacular setting under the desert night sky.
The Bahrain International Circuit has hosted some iconic moments in Formula One, including the thrilling season opener in 2021 and the duel in the desert in 2014. The circuit has been selected as a venue for the Formula One calendar numerous times, with British driver Lewis Hamilton excelling at this location with five wins.
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The first race was held in 2004
The Bahrain Grand Prix (Arabic: جائزة البحرين الكبرى) is a Formula One motor racing event held in Bahrain. The first race took place on 4 April 2004, at the Bahrain International Circuit. It was the first Formula One Grand Prix to be held in the Middle East, and it was awarded the "Best Organised Grand Prix" by the FIA.
The race was won by Michael Schumacher, driving for Ferrari. His teammate, Rubens Barrichello, came second, and Jenson Button completed the podium in third place for the BAR team. The Bahrain Grand Prix was the third round of the 2004 Formula One season and consisted of 57 laps.
The construction of the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir began in 2002. Bahrain competed with Egypt, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates to become the first country in the region to host a Formula One race. The circuit features five different track layouts and is known for its large run-off areas, which prevent sand from getting onto the track.
The Bahrain Grand Prix has been held annually since 2004, except in 2011 when it was cancelled due to the Bahraini uprising. The event has continued to deliver iconic moments in Formula One racing, including the "duel in the desert" in 2014 and the thrilling 2021 season opener.
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It was the first Formula One Grand Prix in the Middle East
The Bahrain Grand Prix is a Formula One motor racing event held in Bahrain. The first-ever Bahrain Grand Prix took place at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 4, 2004, making history as the first Formula One Grand Prix to be held in the Middle East.
The construction of the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir began in 2002, with high domestic interest in the project as it gave a future to the next generation of Bahraini racers. Bahrain fought off fierce competition from Egypt, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates, all hoping for the prestige of hosting a Formula One Grand Prix. The circuit first came to life in 2004 when the inaugural Formula One Grand Prix took place in the country, making it the first-ever track in the Middle East to host the Formula One World Championship.
The first Bahrain Grand Prix was a historic moment for the region, and it was recognised as such by the FIA, who awarded it the "Best Organised Grand Prix". The race has been held every year since 2004, except in 2011 when it was cancelled due to the Bahraini protests. The event has continued to deliver some of the most iconic moments of modern-day Formula One, from the "duel in the desert" in 2014 to the thrilling 2021 opener.
The Bahrain International Circuit is located in the heart of the Sakhir desert and is known for its unique characteristics, such as its large run-off areas, which have received criticism for not punishing drivers who stray off the track. However, these areas effectively prevent sand from getting onto the track, and the circuit is regarded as one of the safest in the world. The track surface is made of greywacke aggregate, which offers a high level of grip but also results in a higher rate of tyre wear.
The Bahrain Grand Prix has played a significant role in the growing popularity of Formula One in the Middle East, with the region now hosting four races annually, including the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the Qatar Grand Prix, and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
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The race has been held every year since 2004, except in 2011
The Bahrain Grand Prix has been held annually since 2004, except in 2011. The race was cancelled that year due to the 2011 Bahraini protests, also known as the Bahraini uprising. The protests were part of a series of demonstrations and civil unrest across North Africa and the Middle East.
The Bahrain Grand Prix was scheduled to take place on 13 March 2011 at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. However, on 21 February 2011, it was announced that the race would be postponed due to the ongoing protests. The decision to postpone, and eventually cancel, the race was made by Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Chief Executive of the Bahrain International Circuit and the Crown Prince of Bahrain.
The cancellation of the 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix was met with mixed reactions. While protesters and human rights activists supported the decision, some in the racing community expressed disappointment. The race organisers initially hoped to reschedule the race for later in the year, and on 3 June, the FIA announced that the race would be held on 30 October. This decision was controversial and was met with criticism from human rights groups and activists, who felt that the FIA was not taking the political upheaval in Bahrain seriously.
Despite the FIA's decision, the organisers of the Grand Prix ultimately abandoned their bid to host the race in 2011. The 2011 edition of the Bahrain Grand Prix was thus cancelled, and the race would not be held until the following year, in April 2012. This decision was also met with controversy, as human rights activists and members of the racing community once again raised concerns about safety and the ongoing use of excessive force by authorities in Bahrain.
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The 2023 race took place on Sunday, March 5
The Bahrain Grand Prix is a Formula One motor racing event held in Bahrain. The race usually takes place at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, which is located in the heart of the Sakhir desert. The circuit features five different track layouts and is known for its large run-off areas, which prevent sand from getting onto the track.
The 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix, officially known as the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, was held on Sunday, March 5, 2023. It was the opening round of the 2023 Formula One World Championship. The race was held over 57 laps of the 5.412-kilometre Bahrain International Circuit.
The 2023 race was won by Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen, who took pole position and led comfortably from the start. He finished ahead of his teammate Sergio Pérez, marking their first 1-2 finish of the season. Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin secured third place, making it his first podium since the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix also saw the debut of Oscar Piastri, who drove for McLaren but unfortunately retired due to a mechanical issue. The event was held over the weekend of March 3-5, with qualifying taking place on Saturday, March 4, at 6:00 pm local time (UTC+3). The race itself was held on Sunday at 6:00 pm local time.
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Frequently asked questions
The Bahrain Grand Prix is held at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain.
The first Bahrain Grand Prix took place on April 4, 2004.
The Bahrain Grand Prix has been held annually since 2004, except in 2011 when it was cancelled due to the Bahraini uprising.
The Bahrain International Circuit is located about 32km south of Manama, the capital of Bahrain. Visitors can travel to the circuit by rental car, taxi, Uber, bus, or shuttle bus.
