• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

BettingSites.co

Betting Sites - Best UK Online Bookmakers & Sports Betting Websites

  • Home
  • Top 10
  • New Sites
  • Free Bets
  • Bookmakers
  • Sports
    • American Football
    • Athletics
    • Baseball
    • Basketball
    • Boxing
    • Cricket
    • Darts
    • Football
    • Formula 1
    • Golf
    • Greyhound Racing
    • Horse Racing
    • Ice Hockey
    • Rugby
    • Snooker
    • Tennis
    • UFC/MMA
  • Tips
  • Banking
  • Articles

Bahrain Grand Prix: Past Winners, Stats & History

Bahrain Grand Prix Track Guide

Bahrain entered Formula One in 2004 when it was the first F1 Grand Prix to be held in the Middle East, and has been ever-present since albeit with a cancellation in 2011.

The race takes place at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, around 30km south of the capital, Manama. Since 2014 the race has taken place during the early evening in Bahrain under floodlights, the second Grand Prix on the calendar to do so after Singapore.

Britain’s Lewis Hamilton and Germany’s Sebastian Vettel are the race’s most successful drivers with four victories each. All four of Hamilton’s wins came with Mercedes whilst Vettel has two with Red Bull and two with Ferrari.

Bahrain International Circuit Map

Bahrain International Circuit
A full circuit in Bahrain is just under 5.5km with 15 turns to navigate. The primary overtaking opportunity comes after the home straight into the tight first turn, named in honour of 2004 winner Michael Schumacher. More info...

Bahrain Grand Prix Recent Winners

Year Winner Team Time Margin
2023 Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:33:56.736 11.987
2022 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:37:33.584 5.598
2021 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:32:03.897 0.745
2020 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 2:59:47.515 1.254
2019 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:34:21.295 2.980
2018 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1:32:01.940 0.699
2017 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1:33:53.374 6.660
2016 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:33:34.696 10.282
2015 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:35:05.809 3.380
2014 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:39:42.743 1.085
2013 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1:36:00.498 9.111
2012 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1:35:10.990 3.333
2011 Cancelled - - -
2010 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:39:20.396 16.099
2009 Jenson Button Mercedes 1:31:48.182 7.187
2008 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:31:06.971 3.339
2007 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:33:27.515 2.360
2006 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:29:46.205 1.246
2005 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:29:18.531 13.409
2004 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1:28:34.875 1.367

About the Bahrain Grand Prix

Bahrain International Circuit Stands
Mubarak Fahad, Flickr

As the second grand prix of the season and the first night race that takes place, the Bahrain Grand Prix has fast become one of the highlights of the F1 calendar. The race has been running since 2004 and in that time has seen some quality racing from within the 5.412km circuit.

The Circuit cost over $150 million to create and is another that has been masterminded by that of Hermann Tilke, a now infamous F1 track architect. With it, the circuit has been able to host a number of other motor sports events as well, including the FIA WEC 6 Hours of Bahrain, World Series Formula V8, V8 Supercars and the FIA GT, to name just a few.

TRACK HIGHLIGHTS

Bahrain Grand Prix Track in 2010
Photo © Derek Morrison (cc-by-sa/2.0)

The race takes place under the floodlights of the Bahrain International circuit, measuring 5.412km in total length. The tracks width varies at the end of different straight, allowing for diverse racing lines. With that creates up to 3 different racing lines that the drives are able to take, allowing for multiple overtaking manoeuvres where possible.

The track has been designed with spectators at the forefront of the track, resulting in plenty of vantage points around the circuit. The start of the race takes place down near the paddock, before drivers navigate up the hill towards turn 4, almost as if it were heading into the desert and the dead of night.

There are 2 DRS zones located on the start/finish straight and between turns 10 and 11, allowing for the biggest overtaking opportunities. The late-night race allows for some stunning views when the sun goes down and is easily one of the most aesthetically pleasing of all the tracks.

As driver’s head over the start finish line and head towards turn 1, they will be doing in excess of 330kmph. They have to then hammer the break peddle to slow down enough to make it round the tight corner, creating up to 5G in force.

The trick at turn 1 is to keep the car as tight to the kerb so that the driver can then get the best exit from turns two and three, which are taken at full throttle as the car works back up the hill to turn 4. The turn itself has a very short apex, so the driver will be hanging on as they try and get enough drive out to really attack the chicane at turns 5 and 6.

The car then drops back down the bank and drivers will be attacking the breaking zone into turn 8. The line through 8 isn’t all that important as drivers generally able to get a good drive out given how wide the track is. But, as they approach turn 9 it’s imperative that they nail the line as breaking in lateral mode all the way into turn 10 then allows a good drive out of the slow corner.

Drivers then head along the back straight and through the DRS zone where they will be flat out. Turn 11 is another short apex corner where the driver will take just a little bit of kerb before driving hard out and using as much as the track as possible.

Turns 12 and 13 are both two more corners that are high speed, but cars will often suffer from understeer here as they are put under immense pressure from both the lateral G Force and the subtle, but noticeable elevation changes.

Another long straight greets the drivers and again they are having to deal with subtle elevation changes along the whole of the straight. Many drivers state it’s much like a rollercoaster and whilst it looks flat on TV, it makes a big difference on the downforce that some cars are able to get.

Turns 14 and 15 are the final two corners. Drivers will be looking to head into these late and pretty much flat out. They will be short apex corners and drivers will then head full throttle through the start/finish line to finish the lap.

HISTORY

Bahrain's Floodlit Track in 2014
Bahrain’s Floodlit Track in 2014 (CaterhamF1, Flickr)

The construction of the circuit began in 2002 in what a widely anticipated development within the country. What was interesting is that no deal had been put in place to host F1 when the development started, but they were able to fend off competition from the likes of Egypt, Lebanon and the UAE to eventually be given hosting rights for the 2004 F1 Grand Prix.

2012 – NEARLY NO RACE

The 2012 Grand Prix was nearly a race that never took place. The year previously it was announced that the Grand Prix would be cancelled because of protests within the country. In 2012, it was called that it should also be cancelled due to the countries failure to adhere to basic human rights. The decision at the time was highlighted as “controversial” by many news and sports outlets.

The race was eventually won by that of Sebastian Vettel, although the whole race weekend was overshadowed by the protests, albeit small, from outside the stadium.

2014 – ALL OF THE LIGHTS

To celebrate 10 years of the Bahrain Grand Prix (albeit, its 9th running) the Bahrain added in numerous floodlights on the track and the race was run as the first night race in the country and the first on the F1 calendar. The inaugural race was won by Lewis Hamilton and it’s been run as a night race ever since, with great success as well.

Primary Sidebar

Formula 1 Circuits

  • Abu Dhabi
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Bahrain (Sakhir)
  • Belgium
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • Germany (Eifel)
  • Hungary
  • Italy
  • Italy (Emilia Romagna)
  • Italy (Tuscany)
  • Japan
  • Malaysia
  • Mexico
  • Monaco
  • Netherlands
  • Portugal
  • Russia
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Singapore
  • Spain
  • Turkey
  • UK
  • United States
  • United States (Miami)

Sports Betting Guides

  • American Football
    • Super Bowl
  • Athletics
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Boxing
  • Cricket
  • Darts
    • BDO World Darts Championship
    • PDC World Darts Championship
    • PDC World Matchplay
  • Football
    • Football Articles
    • Premier League
    • Premier League Big Six
    • Championship
    • Football Cups
    • FA Cup
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • European Championships
    • Football Awards
    • English Football Teams & Leagues
    • Scottish Football Teams & Leagues
    • Irish Football Teams & Leagues
    • Welsh Football Teams & Leagues
  • Formula 1
    • Circuits
    • F1 Constructors Championship
    • F1 Drivers Championship
  • Golf
    • Golf Tournaments
    • The Open Championship
    • US Open Golf
    • The Masters
    • Ryder Cup
    • US PGA Championship
  • Greyhound Racing
    • Greyhound Racing Tracks
  • Horse Racing
    • Horse Racing Articles
    • Horse Races
    • Major Meetings
    • Horse Racing Fixtures
    • Racecourses
      • England
      • Ireland
      • Scotland
      • Wales
    • Horse Racing Series
    • Prize Money
    • Race Classes
      • Grade 1
      • Grade 2
      • Grade 3
      • Group 1
      • Group 2
      • Group 3
      • Handicaps
      • The Classics
  • Ice Hockey
  • MotoGP
  • Motorsport
    • MotoGP Circuits
  • Rugby
    • Super League
    • Six Nations
    • Rugby World Cup
  • Snooker
    • Masters Snooker
    • World Snooker Championship
    • UK Championship Snooker
  • Tennis
    • Wimbledon
    • US Open
    • French Open
    • Australian Open
  • UFC/MMA

Events By Country

  • Countries
  • UAE (Dubai & Abu Dhabi)
  • South Africa
  • India
  • New Zealand
  • France
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • USA
  • Ireland
  • UK
  • Saudi Arabia

Banking

  • Apple Pay
  • Bitcoin
  • Entropay
  • Neteller
  • PayPal
  • Paysafecard
  • Skrill

Popular Articles

  • Picking Winners: How To Study Horse Racing Form
  • Betting & Tax In The UK – Do I Have To Pay Tax On My Gambling Winnings?
  • Both Teams to Score & Goals Galore Explained
  • Multiples Betting Explained
  • Dead Heat Rules – What Happens In The Event Of A Tie?

Latest Articles

  • Horse Racing Fixtures
  • Scottish Racecourses
  • Welsh Racecourses
  • English Racecourses
  • Premier League Golden Boot
  • European Golden Shoe
  • Motorsport
  • Youghal Greyhound Stadium
  • Kilcohan Park Greyhound Stadium (Waterford)
  • Kingdom Greyhound Stadium (Tralee)

Recently Updated

  • Cheltenham Festival
  • Six Nations Championship: Past Winners, Stats & History
  • Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
  • Midlands Grand National
  • Festival Hunters' Chase
  • Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
  • Cheltenham Gold Cup
  • Triumph Hurdle
  • Stayers’ Hurdle
  • Ryanair Chase
  • Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle
  • Turners Novices’ Chase
  • Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase
  • Champion Bumper
  • British & Irish Champion Trainers (Flat & Jumps)
  • Queen Mother Champion Chase
  • Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
  • Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
  • Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle
  • Champion Hurdle
Copyright © 2023 BettingSites.co | 18+ BeGambleAware - Gamstop

Disclaimer: Please note that the legality of betting online varies between countries and it is your responsibility to verify that your actions are legal in the country you reside. All offers subject to terms and conditions. Please gamble responsibly - if you feel you may have a problem and need advice please visit Gamble Aware (UK) or Gamblers Anonymous.