Bahrain GP

• Track features

  Bahrain always makes for a good season opener due to its propensity for overtaking. The circuit is built for close racing throughout, but the moves tend to come after lengthy duels in one of two places: the braking zone at the end of the main straight and the right-hander at Turn 4, just a few corners later.

  The following 11 turns are aimed at letting cars get close to one another in anticipation of making a move, with the particularly challenging tight, off-camber 10th turn often catching drivers out, which allows those behind the chance to catch up and those in front to dash off into the distance during the subsequent DRS zone leading up to Turn 11.

  The weather conditions add another layer of interest and ask interesting questions of our drivers and our engineering team. The direction of the wind can change 180 degrees during the day, and this sees sand being blown on the track from the desert, affecting grip levels. The temperature and light levels can fluctuate as well, with the race starting at dusk and finishing in darkness under the floodlights.

• What's it like in Bahrain?

  Bahrain is of a similar size to Greater London but has plenty to offer away from the track – not only is it a great place to catch a tan, it has a rich cultural heritage and some spectacular sites, including the Al-Fateh Grand Mosque and the Qalat al Bahrain (also known as the Bahrain Fort). If you’re going, don’t forget to try their famous Arabic coffee and a plate of chicken machboos, a spiced chicken and rice recipe.

• F1 icebreaker

  Stuck for conversation with your F1-loving friends? Spark up a discussion with our F1 icebreaker…

  Bahrain became the first Middle Eastern country to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2004, with a total of three circuit layout configurations – out of a possible five - used in the 20 years since.