The Bahrain Grand Prix
(Arabic: ????? ??????? ??????) is a Formula One Championship race which first took place at the Bahrain International Circuit on 4 April 2004.
The Bahrain Grand Prix, sponsored by Gulf Air, made history as the first Formula One Grand Prix to be held in the Middle East. Bahrain fought off fierce competition from elsewhere in the region to stage the race, with Egypt, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates all hoping for the prestige of hosting a Formula One Grand Prix.
The inaugural race was given the award for the "Best Organised Grand Prix" by the FIA.
The Bahrain Grand Prix has usually been the third race of the Formula One calendar, taking the spot of the Brazilian Grand Prix, which was moved in 2004 to October. However, in the 2006 season, Bahrain swapped places with the traditional opener, the Australian Grand Prix, which was pushed back to avoid a clash with the Commonwealth Games.
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BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX TICKETS
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History
The building of the
Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir was started in 2002 with high domestic interest about the project as it gave a future to the next generation of Bahraini racers. By the completion of the project, the circuit soon outshone the Kuwait Circuit and became the center of motor sport in the
Persian Gulf, as it held many other races such as drag races, GT races, Formula 3 races and the Australian V8 Supercar series.
The first race was in
2004 and it was won by German driver
Michael Schumacher.
Fernando Alonso won the second Bahrain Grand Prix in 2005, and then became the first repeat winner of the Middle Eastern race in 2006, after a thrilling race-long battle with Michael Schumacher.
In 2007 and 2008, Brazilian
Felipe Massa won the race for
Ferrari. 2009 saw
Jenson Button win for
Brawn GP.
Characteristics
A characteristic of the course is the giant run-off areas, which has been criticised for not punishing drivers who stray off the track, although this has made Bahrain one of the safest tracks in the world, and tends to prevent sand getting onto the track.
The drivers do not spray the traditional
champagne on the podium, although alcoholic beverages are legal in Bahrain, in contrast to neighbouring Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Instead, they spray a non-alcoholic
rosewater drink known as
Waard.
Sponsors
Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix
2004-present
Winners of the Bahrain Grand Prix
Repeat winners (drivers)
| Number of wins
| Driver
| Years
|
| 2
| Fernando Alonso
| 2005, 2006
|
| Felipe Massa
| 2007, 2008
|
Repeat winners (constructors)
| Number of wins
| Constructor
| Years
|
| 3
| Ferrari
| 2004, 2007, 2008
|
| 2
| Renault
| 2005, 2006
|
Year by year
| Year
| Driver
| Constructor
| Location
| Report
|
| 2009
| <
| Brawn-Mercedes
| Sakhir
| Report
|
| 2008
| <
| Ferrari
| Sakhir
| Report
|
| 2007
| <
| Ferrari
| Sakhir
| Report
|
| 2006
| <
| Renault
| Sakhir
| Report
|
| 2005
| <
| Renault
| Sakhir
| Report
|
| 2004
| <
| Ferrari
| Sakhir
| Report
|
Support races
Formula BMW Asia supported the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2004, with Hong Kong driver
Marchy Lee winning both rounds. But the series had logistical problems after the race, when the cars were delayed on their way to
Malaysia, missing the next event and had to reschedule the rest of the season.
Formula BMW Asia has not supported the Bahrain Grand Prix since, but the first ever Formula BMW World Final was held in Bahrain. The Porsche Supercup has supported the 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 races. The GP2 Series supported the race in 2007 and a celebrity race was held in 2006 with the likes of
Simon Webbe competing.
Further support for the 2008 event was provided by the
GP2 Asia,
Speedcar Series and a series using Australian built
Chevrolet Luminas.
See also