Race Facts – Bahrain Grand Prix

Learn more about the history of the Bahrain Grand Prix, which became the first Formula 1 race held in the Middle East in 2004.

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Bahrain International Circuit (also known as “Sakhir”) was designed by Hermann Tilke and built in just 16 months at an estimated cost of $150m USD. The tarmac of the track is made from imported graywacke aggregate from Shropshire, England. The first race in 2004 was won in dominant fashion by Michael Schumacher in the Ferrari F2004.

The circuit has a variety of layouts for different events. Formula 1 has raced on three variations of the circuit, with all but one Bahrain Grand Prix taking place on the Grand Prix Circuit layout of the track. 

For 2010, organisers decided to use the ‘endurance’ layout of the circuit to celebrate Formula 1’s diamond anniversary. The lengthened track was met with negative reaction from the drivers and was never used again in F1. In 2020, the Sakhir Grand Prix was held on the shorter, and faster, Outer Circuit.

The Bahrain Grand Prix was first held under floodlights in 2014 partly to provide a better spectacle and more comfortable conditions for spectators, but also to give the race a better time slot with important TV audiences in Europe.

The track has a seating capacity for 45,000 spectators, including 10,500 in the main pit straight grandstand. The circuit also features a distinctive 8-storey VIP tower. According to the circuit’s website, there are over 4700 staff working at the circuit on Grand Prix weekend, including 1800 police & security staff, 600 track marshals and 25 doctors.

Two Races in 2020

In 2020, Bahrain International Circuit hosted two rounds of the championship in order to boost the number of races in a season which had been heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The Bahrain Grand Prix, in which Romain Grosjean made headline news with a miraculous escape from an horrific crash, was held at the end of November.

One week later, the Sakhir Grand Prix took place, with Sergio Perez recording his maiden win. The second race was also notable for the absence of Lewis Hamilton, who had tested positive for coronavirus. George Russell impressed as he took Hamilton's seat, and was in contention for the win until a late race puncture. 

Both the Bahrain and Sakhir Grands Prix were held behind closed doors, though local health workers were invited to spectate in the grandstands in recognition of their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.

F1 to Race in Bahrain Until 2036

The Bahrain Grand Prix moved to the season-opening slot in 2021 - a position which it occupied again in 2022 and 2023. In February 2022, race organisers signed a contract extension, keeping Bahrain International Circuit on the Formula 1 calendar until at least 2036. 

The 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix attracted a record race day crowd for the event, with 98,000 in attendance over the three-day weekend. The record was broken again with a sell-out race at the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix, with 36,000 attending on race day and improved again in 2024, with 37,000 attending the 20th anniversary event.

Bahrain Grand Prix: Did You Know?

• Lewis Hamilton holds the record for most wins at the Bahrain Grand Prix. He took a fifth win at the event in 2021. Hamilton shares the record for most poles in Bahrain with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. All three drivers have taken pole three times.
• In 2022, Charles Leclerc took Ferrari's seventh victory in Bahrain. The Scuderia have held the record for most Bahrain Grand Prix wins since the inaugural event in 2004.
• Bahrain is one of only a handful of current F1 circuits at which McLaren have not yet recorded a victory.
• Kimi Raikkonen finished on the podium eight times in Bahrain but never won the race.

• After the 2007 Bahrain Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton were all equal on points at the top of the championship. The last time that three drivers had been tied at the top of the Drivers' Championship was in 1950, after the Indianapolis 500.
• Local protests inspired by the Arab Spring resulted in the race being postponed in 2011. The race had been rescheduled for later in the year, but was eventually cancelled.
• Less than half of the races held at Bahrain International Circuit have been won from pole. Just 10 of the 21 races at the track have been won from the very front of the grid. The furthest back win here was for Sergio Perez in the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix. He started fifth. 
• With his victory in the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, Sergio Perez became the first driver to win an F1 race having been last at the end of the opening lap.
• Sebastian Vettel recorded the only Did Not Start (DNS) of his F1 career here in 2016 when his Ferrari engine failed on the formation lap. In 2022, he missed the race after testing positive for coronavirus. It was the first race weekend he missed since the 2007 European Grand Prix.

Memorable Moments at the Bahrain Grand Prix

2006: Raikkonen's Recovery Drive

Kimi Raikkonen was eliminated in Q1 in Bahrain in 2006 after a suspension failure. Starting at the very back of the field in 22nd, McLaren placed the Finn on a one-stop strategy. With a mix of strategy and his fine overtaking skills, Raikkonen finished in third place behind Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso, who had an epic battle for the lead throughout the Grand Prix. Watch the highlights.

It was Alonso who came out on top, barging past Schumacher after his second pit-stop. Notably, the race was also the first appearance for future World Champion Nico Rosberg. He set the fastest lap of the race, becoming the youngest driver to do so at the time.

2008: Kubica and Sauber's Only Pole

Robert Kubica took the only pole position of his career at Sakhir in 2008. He also became the first Polish driver to start a Grand Prix from the front of the grid, as well as marking Sauber's only pole position so far in Formula 1. Kubica lapped just 0.027s faster than Felipe Massa, which remained the smallest margin pole was taken by in Bahrain until 2017. Kubica was unable to convert pole into victory, finishing the race in third as Massa took the win. Watch the highlights.

2010: Alonso's First Ferrari Win

The 2010 F1 season began in Bahrain amidst plenty of intrigue with new teams, new driver line-ups and the return of Michael Schumacher after a three-year absence. While Sebastian Vettel set the pace in qualifying, spark plug issues on his Red Bull slowed him down and Fernando Alonso was able to capitalize, taking victory on his first appearance with Ferrari. Watch the highlights.

The 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix marked only the sixth time a driver had won on their Ferrari debut. It was an afternoon to remember for the whole team too, as Felipe Massa finished as runner-up on his first appearance since his accident at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix.

2014: Duel in the Desert

The 2014 Bahrain Grand Prix is seen as the starting point of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg's bitter rivalry as Mercedes team-mates. The race, which was the 900th F1 Grand Prix, saw Rosberg start from pole. Hamilton got the better start however, and led the opening stages. The pair scrapped for position before the first pit-stops with Hamilton ultimately remaining ahead and thus being given the privilege of the first stop. 

The Safety Car was called out later, after Esteban Gutierrez's Sauber rolled as the result of a collision with Pastor Maldonado. The Safety Car period prompted a thrilling conclusion to the race as Rosberg, still behind Hamilton, was now on the faster tyre compound. There was little the German could do though, and after more wheel-to-wheel battles Hamilton won the race, equaling Juan Manuel Fangio's tally of Grand Prix victories. Watch the highlights.

2019: Leclerc's Unlucky Evening

Charles Leclerc moved to Ferrari for his second season in Formula 1 and impressed by taking pole position on only his second outing with Ferrari at the 2019 Bahrain Grand Prix. Despite losing the lead to his team-mate Sebastian Vettel in the opening stages, the Monegasque driver was soon back at the front of the field and looked unchallenged for victory as the event reached its closing stages. 

However, luck was not on Leclerc's side. He was denied his maiden win by engine issues. He was overtaken by both Mercedes drivers, before a late race Safety Car meant he was able to salvage a maiden podium finish from a disappointing evening under the floodlights. Watch the highlights.

2020: Grosjean's Miraculous Escape

Romain Grosjean was lucky to escape a terrifying crash on the opening lap of the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix. Making contact with Daniil Kvyat through the opening corners, Grosjean's Haas left the circuit at close to 200km/h before crashing into the barriers. Going through the barriers, the car split in two and set alight in the 67G impact. Grosjean was saved by the halo device and was able to remove himself from the burning car. 

Already confirmed to be leaving Haas at the end of the season, this was Grosjean's last appearance in Formula 1. He suffered burns and was discharged from hospital three days after the race. He began his IndyCar career in the following year. Watch the dramatic incident.

2020: Perez's Maiden Win

Two races were contested at Bahrain International Circuit in 2020, with the one-off Sakhir Grand Prix following one week on from the Bahrain Grand Prix. The event was held on the shorter 'Outer Loop' layout of the track.

George Russell replaced Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, with the reigning champion having tested positive for coronavirus ahead of the race. Russell impressed all weekend, narrowly missing out on pole and overtaking team-mate Valtteri Bottas at Turn 1. Russell led most of the race but pit stop issues put him out of contention for victory. 

Instead victory went to Sergio Perez - which seemed unlikely at the end of Lap 1, given that he was at the back of the field after being involved in a collision. Perez's win was the first for a Mexican driver in 50 years. Watch the highlights.

Bahrain Grand Prix Facts

Circuit Name	Bahrain International Circuit (Sakhir)
First Race	2004
Track Length	5.412km (15 turns)
Race Distance	57 laps (308.238km)
Lap Record	1:31.447, Pedro de la Rosa (McLaren, 2005)
2024 Result	1st Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1:31:44.742
	2nd Sergio Perez (Red Bull) +22.457s
	3rd Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) +25.110s