Photo: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
The Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix is the fourth race to take place in the Grand Prix calendar taking place on 19th April through until the 21st. The Bahrain International Circuit will be in use for the 9th consecutive year since the Grand Prix was hosted in the Middle East.
Current
The Bahrain event is sponsored by Gulf Air. In 2012, German driver Sebastian Vettel took 1st position on the podium finishing in front of Kimi Raikkonen (2nd) and Romain Grosjean who finished the race in 3rd place. The Bahrain International Circuit located in Sakhir, was opened in 2004 to host major motorsport events including drag racing, GP2 and the annual Grand Prix. With a FIA grade rating of 1, has a total distance of 6.299km and 15 turns, the Lap record is held by Michael Schumacher in 2004 (1:30.252).
Race Track
The length of the Bahrain International Circuit is 5.4km and drivers have to complete 57 laps in total (308km). The Bahrain Grand Prix made history when it received the “Best Organised Grand Prix” award by FIA as the first Grand Prix held in the Middle East.
No shows booked at the moment.
from £History
Bahrain’s bid to host the event had to fight off competition from Egypt, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates. The first Bahrain Grand Prix took place in April, 2004, becoming the first Formula One Grand Prix to be hosted in the Middle East. The first Grand Prix in 2004 was won by the German driver Michael Schumacher then followed by the Spanish giant Fernando Alonso who took the title in 2005 and became the first driver to retain the crown in 2006. For the 2010 season, Bahrain was the season opener and Formula One cars drove the full 6.299 km “Endurance Circuit” to celebrate F1’s ‘diamond jubilee’. Fernando Alonso is currently the leader of the Bahrain Grand Prix with a total of 3 repeat victories.
