Welcome to Round 4: The 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix
Hello everybody and welcome to another exciting weekend of jam packed of rubber burning action that is Formula 1.
From the Suzuka Racing Course dominated by Red Bull and Max Verstappen comes the next challenge.
Heading west across the Asian continent, Formula 1 travels to the Persian Gulf to the small island of Bahrain for what is, the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Overview of the Bahrain Grand Prix
Formula 1 was first introduced to the Bahrain International Circuit back in 2004. A race dominated by the 'Prancing Horses' of Ferrari, a midfield crucible of drivers fighting for points and a delectable duel between Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber.
Since its inception, Bahrain has written the opening chapters of a season, a car breaker under heated temperatures and circuit evolving overtime in the quest for overtaking opportunities.
What you witness in this era of Formula 1 is Bahrain continues to become the quest for minimising as much drag possible in the bid for higher top speeds and more overtaking opportunities.
Track Layout
The 5.412-kilometre features 15 turns, six to the left and 9 to the right of this clockwise circuit. From Japan we had one DRS zone. Bahrain, however, has three.
The first is located after the drivers race out of Turn 3 on the run down to Turn 4, the second DRS Zone is located after the hairpin of Turn 10, a small straight for the attacking to etch ever closer heading to the final DRS Zone,
Traversing round the final corner of Turn 15 the driver gets their final dose of DRS racing down the Start/Finish straight.
Most Memorable Moments in Bahrain
Bahrain has showcased many notorious victories and upsets including championship battles, strategic error as well as, the fight for survival in extreme heat.
2004 set the stage as the inaugural race around the Bahrain International Circuit. A race that was dominated by the prancing horse of Michael Schumacher.
Executing a perfect race craft taking victory ahead of his teammate Rubens Barrichello and a further 26 seconds ahead of (at the rookie) Jenson Button.
2005 however, became a crucible, a fight for survival in the scorching sun. Pole Sitter, Fernando Alonso was the only driver who kept a cool head throughout the Grand Prix.
The Renault driver keeping himself composed under the heat of the Sakhir sun, took the victory with Championship rival Michael Schumacher retiring in the early stages of the race.
While there have been some iconic moments let's accelerate to 2014. The duel between the Silver Arrows. For the first time in Bahrain, the Grand Prix would be set in the night under the lights.
Fighting for the lead, Hamilton and Rosberg showcased the start of heated rivalry that would eventually spark throughout the season, with Lewis Hamilton keeping his German teammate at bay to take the victory.
One of many chapters of 2014 that would see the Silver Arrows take the fight to each other.
Speaking of Lewis Hamilton, fast forward to 2021. The seasonal opener in Bahrain set the stage for what would be a gruelling battle for championship from start to finish. And who was the Hamilton challenger? The Flying Dutchman of Max Verstappen.
During the closing stages of the race, Verstappen could taste the victory and on Lap 52 Verstappen took the opportunity around the outside going into Turn 4. But the move was deemed illegal as Verstappen overtook outside the parameter of the circuit.
So, Verstappen had to relinquish the place back to Hamilton to avoid a penalty with Brit striking the first blow of the championship winning the race.
These are only a few that created stardom within the Sakhir circuit, you could add in Sebastian Vettel's 2012 dominance, Valtteri Bottas' 2017 shocking pole position, the sparks flying in 2022 between Max Verstappen and Chales Leclerc... The list is full of memorable moments.
But I ask you, which was your favourite Bahrain Grand Prix moment/year?
Live Timings - BST (British Standard Time)
Friday 11th April
12:00 pm - Bahrain Grand Prix Practice One (Session begins at 12:30 pm)
3:45 pm - Bahrain Grand Prix Practice Two (Session begins at 4:00 pm)
Saturday 12th April
1:15 pm - Bahrain Grand Prix Practice Three (Session begins at 1:30 pm)
4:00 pm - Bahrain Grand Prix Qualifying (Session begins at 5:00 pm)
Sunday 13th April
2:30 pm - Bahrain Grand Prix (Session begins at 4:00 pm)