Bahrain Grand Prix facts for kids
| Bahrain International Circuit (2004–2010, 2012–present) |
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| Race information | |
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| Number of times held | 20 |
| First held | 2004 |
| Most wins (drivers) |  Lewis Hamilton (5) |
| Most wins (constructors) |  Ferrari (7) |
| Circuit length | 5.412 km (3.363 mi) |
| Race length | 308.238 km (191.530 mi) |
| Laps | 57 |
| Last race (2024) | |
| Pole position | |
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| Podium | |
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| Fastest lap | |
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The Bahrain Grand Prix (Arabic: جائزة البحرين الكبرى), officially known as the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix for sponsorship reasons, is a Formula One motor racing event in Bahrain. The first race took place at the Bahrain International Circuit on 4 April 2004. It made history as the first Formula One Grand Prix to be held in the Middle East, and was given the award for the "Best Organised Grand Prix" by the FIA. The race has in the past been the second, third, or fourth race of the Formula One calendar. 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. In 2010, Bahrain staged the opening race of the 2010 season and the cars drove the full 6.299 km (3.914 mi) "Endurance Circuit" to celebrate F1's 'diamond jubilee'. In 2021, the Bahrain Grand Prix was the season opener again because the 2021 Australian Grand Prix was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2011 edition, due to be held on 13 March, was cancelled on 21 February due to the 2011 Bahraini protests after drivers including Damon Hill and Mark Webber had protested. Human rights activists called for a cancellation of the 2012 race due to reports of human rights abuses committed by the Bahraini authorities. Team personnel also voiced concerns about safety, but the race, nonetheless, was held as planned on 22 April 2012.
In 2014, to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the first staging of the Bahrain Grand Prix, the race was held as a night event under floodlights. In so doing it became the second Formula One night race after the Singapore Grand Prix in 2008. Bahrain's inaugural night event was won by Lewis Hamilton. Subsequent races have also been night races.
Contents
History
The construction of the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir began in 2002. Bahrain had fought off fierce competition from elsewhere in the region to stage a F1 race, with Egypt, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates all hoping for the prestige of hosting a Formula One Grand Prix.
The race has been held in every Formula One season since 2004, with the exception of 2011, due to the 2011 Bahraini uprising. The first Bahrain Grand Prix was won by Michael Schumacher, driving for Ferrari. The following two editions, in 2005 and 2006, were won by Fernando Alonso, racing for Renault, and Felipe Massa won the 2007 and 2008 editions of the race for Ferrari. Jenson Button won the 2009 Bahrain Grand Prix driving for Brawn GP, and Fernando Alonso won his third Bahrain Grand Prix in 2010 driving for Ferrari. Following the cancellation of the 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull won the 2012 and 2013 Grands Prix, followed by Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes winning in 2014 and 2015. Hamilton's teammate Nico Rosberg won in 2016, and Sebastian Vettel won another two editions of the race for Ferrari in 2017 and 2018. Lewis Hamilton then proceeded to win the following three Grands Prix, in 2019, 2020, and 2021, setting the record for the most Bahrain Grand Prix wins, with five. The 2022 round was won by Charles Leclerc, giving the Scuderia Ferrari their record seventh Bahrain Grand Prix victory. The most recent edition, held in 2024, was won by Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing, with the previous year's event their first Bahrain Grand Prix victory in over ten years.
The 2010 edition of the race saw a different circuit configuration used for the Grand Prix. The "Endurance Circuit" layout was used instead of the "Grand Prix Circuit" layout, extending the lap length to 6.299 km (3.914 mi). The track was planned to revert back to its original layout for the 2011 edition, and did so for the 2012 edition.
In February 2022, it was reported that the event's contract had been extended to last until the 2036 Formula One season.
Characteristics
One notable characteristic of the course is its large run-off areas, which have been criticised for not punishing drivers who stray off the track. However, they tend to prevent sand getting onto the track. The circuit is regarded as one of the safest in the world.
Although alcoholic beverages are legal in Bahrain, the drivers do not spray the traditional champagne on the podium, instead spraying a non-alcoholic rosewater drink known as Waard.
Winners
Repeat winners (drivers)
Drivers in bold are competing in the Formula One championship in the current season.
| Wins | Driver | Years won |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Lewis Hamilton |
2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021 |
| 4 |  Sebastian Vettel |
2012, 2013, 2017, 2018 |
| 3 |  Fernando Alonso |
2005, 2006, 2010 |
| 2 |  Felipe Massa |
2007, 2008 |
 Max Verstappen |
2023, 2024 | |
| Source: | ||
Repeat winners (constructors)
Teams in bold are competing in the Formula One championship in the current season.
| Wins | Constructor | Years won |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Ferrari |
2004, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2017, 2018, 2022 |
| 6 | Mercedes |
2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021 |
| 4 |  Red Bull |
2012, 2013, 2023, 2024 |
| 2 |  Renault |
2005, 2006 |
| Source: | ||
Repeat winners (engine manufacturers)
Manufacturers in bold are competing in the Formula One championship in the current season.
| Wins | Manufacturer | Years won |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Ferrari |
2004, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2017, 2018, 2022 |
| Mercedes |
2009, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021 | |
| 4 | Renault |
2005, 2006, 2012, 2013 |
| 2 |  Honda RBPT |
2023, 2024 |
| Source: | ||
By year
| Year | Driver | Constructor | Configuration | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Michael Schumacher |
Ferrari | Grand Prix Circuit | Report |
| 2005 | Fernando Alonso |
Renault | Report | |
| 2006 | Fernando Alonso |
Renault | Report | |
| 2007 | Felipe Massa |
Ferrari | Report | |
| 2008 | Felipe Massa |
Ferrari | Report | |
| 2009 | Jenson Button |
Brawn-Mercedes | Report | |
| 2010 | Fernando Alonso |
Ferrari | Endurance Circuit | Report |
| 2011 | Cancelled due to 2011 Bahraini uprising | Report | ||
| 2012 | Sebastian Vettel |
Red Bull-Renault | Grand Prix Circuit | Report |
| 2013 | Sebastian Vettel |
Red Bull-Renault | Report | |
| 2014 | Lewis Hamilton |
Mercedes | Report | |
| 2015 | Lewis Hamilton |
Mercedes | Report | |
| 2016 | Nico Rosberg |
Mercedes | Report | |
| 2017 | Sebastian Vettel |
Ferrari | Report | |
| 2018 | Sebastian Vettel |
Ferrari | Report | |
| 2019 | Lewis Hamilton |
Mercedes | Report | |
| 2020 | Lewis Hamilton |
Mercedes | Report | |
| 2021 | Lewis Hamilton |
Mercedes | Report | |
| 2022 |  Charles Leclerc |
Ferrari | Report | |
| 2023 | Max Verstappen |
Red Bull-Honda RBPT | Report | |
| 2024 | Max Verstappen |
Red Bull-Honda RBPT | Report | |
| Sources: | ||||
See also
In Spanish: Gran Premio de Baréin para niños
- Tourism in Bahrain
