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Bahrain International Circuit

Coordinates: 26°1′57″N 50°30′38″E / 26.03250°N 50.51056°E / 26.03250; 50.51056
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Bahrain International Circuit

LocationSakhir, Bahrain
Time zoneUTC+03:00
Coordinates26°1′57″N 50°30′38″E / 26.03250°N 50.51056°E / 26.03250; 50.51056
Capacity70,000
FIA Grade1 (5 layouts)
Broke groundDecember 2002; 22 years ago (2002-12)
Opened17 March 2004; 20 years ago (2004-03-17)
Construction cost56.2 million Dinars ($150 million)
ArchitectHermann Tilke
Major eventsCurrent:
Formula One
Bahrain Grand Prix (2004–2010, 2012–present)
FIA WEC
8 Hours of Bahrain (2012–2017, 2019–present)
Former:
Gulf 12 Hours (2021)
V8 Supercars
Desert 400 (2006–2008, 2010)
FIA GT (2005)
GP2 Asia (2008–2010)
Grand Prix Circuit (2005–present)
Length5.412 km (3.363 miles)
Turns15
Race lap record1:31.447 (Spain Pedro de la Rosa, McLaren MP4-20, 2005, F1)
Outer Circuit (2005–present)
Length3.543 km (2.202 miles)
Turns11
Race lap record0:55.404 (United Kingdom George Russell, Mercedes W11, 2020, F1)
Endurance Circuit (2005–present)
Length6.299 km (3.914 miles)
Turns23
Race lap record1:58.287 (Spain Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F10, 2010, F1)
Paddock Circuit (2004–present)
Length3.823 km (2.375 miles)
Turns10
Race lap record1:24.9102 (Australia Jason Bright, Ford BA Falcon, 2006, V8 Supercars)
Oasis / Inner Circuit (2004–present)
Length2.550 km (1.584 miles)
Turns8
Race lap record1:03.819 (United Arab Emirates Bashar Mardini, Porsche 911 (991 I) GT3 Cup, 2017, PCC)
Original Grand Prix Circuit (2004)
Length5.417 km (3.366 miles)
Turns15
Race lap record1:30.252 (Germany Michael Schumacher, Ferrari F2004, 2004, F1)

The Bahrain International Circuit (Arabic: حلبة البحرين الدولية, romanized: Ḥalba al-Baḥrayn ad-Dawliyya) is a 5.412 km (3.363 mi) motorsport venue opened in 2004 and used for drag racing, GP2 Series (now FIA Formula 2), and the annual Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix. The 2004 Grand Prix was the first held in the Middle East. Beginning in 2006, Australian V8 Supercars raced at the BIC, with the event known as the Desert 400. However, the V8 Supercars did not return for the 2011 V8 Supercar season. 24 Hour endurance races are also hosted at BIC.[1] The circuit has a FIA Grade 1 license.[2] The circuit also has multiple layouts.

History

[edit]
Satellite view of the circuit as it appeared in November 2017

The construction of the Bahrain circuit was a national objective for Bahrain, initiated by the Crown Prince, Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. The Crown Prince is the Honorary President of the Bahrain Motor Federation. TRL was asked to build the circuit, headed by Patrick Brogan.

Race organizers were worried that the circuit would not be complete in time for the 2004 Bahrain Grand Prix and attempted to cancel the event; however, Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone refused this request. In the end, the circuit was not quite fully complete, but was good enough for the grand prix to go ahead.[3]

After the 2004 race and ahead of the 2005 race the track was realigned at turn four, decreasing the circuit's overall length by 5 metres in total.[4]

In 2007 the circuit became the first Grand Prix circuit to be awarded the distinguished FIA Institute Centre of Excellence award, given for excellent safety, race marshal, and medical facilities, and for the high standards of technology required to maintain these.[5]

At the 2009 Grand Prix, BIC announced a collaboration with @bahrain to develop land next to the circuit. @bahrain is part of the Mumtalakat group of companies. @bahrain will dedicate more than 1 million square meters of business, entertainment and educational space with a value in excess of US$2bn (BHD 850million), making it one of the largest investment projects to take place in Bahrain in the past five years.[6]

In 2011 the circuit was scheduled to be the first GP of the season. However, due to civil unrest in the country the race had to be cancelled in March 2011. On 4 June the FIA announced that the race would be scheduled for 30 October, the original slot for the inaugural Indian Grand Prix, which would be shifted to a season-closing date on 11 December.[7] However, two days later following concerns from teams and other officials, the race organizers officially cancelled the race, choosing to focus their attention on the 2012 running. The 2012 Formula One calendar had the race scheduled for 22 April, the fourth of the season. During pre-season testing for the 2024 Formula 1 season, the second morning session was halted by a red flag and later cancelled as a drain cover in the approach to turn 10 of the circuit had been dislodged by Charles Leclerc's SF-24.

Construction and design

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VIP tower at Bahrain International Circuit

The circuit was designed by German architect Hermann Tilke, the same architect who designed the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. The main contractor for the project was Cebarco-WCT.[8] The circuit cost approximately 56.2 million Bahraini Dinars[9] (US$150 million) to construct.[10] It has six separate tracks, including a test oval and a drag strip.[10]

The circuit posed a unique problem. Positioned in the middle of a desert, there were worries that sand would blow onto the circuit and disrupt the race. However, organizers were able to keep the sand off the track by spraying an adhesive on the sand around the track.[11]

The surface of the track is made of graywacke aggregate, shipped to Bahrain from Bayston Hill quarry in Shropshire, England. The surface material is highly acclaimed by circuit bosses and Formula 1 drivers for the high level of grip it offers. The same aggregate material is used at the Yas Marina Circuit, venue of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.[12]

Shortly after the Formula One February 2014 testing, the first corner of the track was renamed after seven-time champion German driver Michael Schumacher in honour of his achievements and also in support after he suffered an almost fatal skiing accident late December 2013.[13]

Track layouts

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Track[10] Distance[10] Grade[14]
Grand Prix track 5.412 km (3.363 mi) 1
Oasis / Inner track 2.554 km (1.587 mi) 1
Outer track 3.543 km (2.202 mi) 1
Paddock Circuit 3.823 km (2.376 mi) 1
Drag Strip 1.2 km (0.7 mi) n/a
Oval track 2.500 km (1.553 mi) n/a
Endurance Circuit 6.299 km (3.914 mi) 1
  • "Grand Prix Circuit". Used in F1 in 2004–2009, and since 2012
    "Grand Prix Circuit". Used in F1 in 2004–2009, and since 2012
  • "Endurance Circuit". Used in F1 in 2010
    "Endurance Circuit". Used in F1 in 2010
  • "Outer Circuit". Used in F1 in 2020 at the Sakhir Grand Prix[15]
    "Outer Circuit". Used in F1 in 2020 at the Sakhir Grand Prix[15]
  • "Paddock Circuit"
    "Paddock Circuit"
  • "Oasis / Inner Circuit"
    "Oasis / Inner Circuit"
  • A flat oval
    A flat oval

Formula One Grand Prix

[edit]
Main articles: Bahrain Grand Prix and Sakhir Grand Prix
The Bahrain International Circuit in 2010

The first Bahrain Grand Prix took place on 4 April 2004, making 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 (UAE) all hoping for the prestige of hosting a Formula One Grand Prix (the UAE would host a Grand Prix from 2009).

The Bahrain Grand Prix is usually the third race on the Formula One calendar, apart from the 2006 season, when Bahrain swapped places with the traditional opener, the Australian Grand Prix, which was pushed back to avoid a clash with the Commonwealth Games. In 2009, Bahrain was moved to the fourth race. For the 2010 season Bahrain was again the pre-season testing and season opener and Formula One cars drove the full 6.299 km (3.914 mi) "Endurance Circuit" to celebrate F1's 'diamond jubilee'. For 2011 however F1 was set to return to racing on the original layout used between 2004 and 2009.[16] The race was postponed and finally cancelled due to protests in the country but F1 returned to the track for the 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix. 2014 saw the track host its first ever Grand Prix under lights, as the race was scheduled as a night race to celebrate the tenth year of Formula 1 at the circuit. Subsequent editions of the race have also been held at night. In 2020 the circuit hosted two Grands Prix, the Bahrain and Sakhir Grands Prix, after the calendar was revised following the COVID-19 pandemic with the latter using the Outer Circuit layout.[17]

Series hosted

[edit]

The Bahrain International Circuit hosts a number of high-profile series, including the FIA Formula One World Championship, the FIA World Endurance Championship, the FIA Formula 2 Championship, FIA Formula 3 Championship, and Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East.

In the past the circuit has hosted the FIA GT Championship, Speedcar Series, Australian V8 Supercars, GP2 Asia Series, and a one-off Bahrain Superprix involving Formula Three cars, following on from the collapsed Korea Super Prix. The first ever Formula BMW World Final took place in Bahrain.

Events

[edit]
Current
Former

Lap records

[edit]

As of March 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Bahrain International Circuit are listed as:[19][20]

Category Driver Vehicle Time Event Date
Grand Prix Circuit: 5.412 km (2005–present)
F1 Spain Pedro de la Rosa McLaren MP4-20 1:31.447[19][4] 2005 Bahrain Grand Prix 3 April 2005
LMP1 Brazil Lucas di Grassi Audi R18 1:41.511[19][21] 2016 6 Hours of Bahrain 19 November 2016
GP2 Belgium Stoffel Vandoorne Dallara GP2/11 1:43.166[19] 2015 2nd Sakhir GP2 round 20 November 2015
GP2 Asia Japan Kamui Kobayashi Dallara GP2/05 1:43.604 2009 Bahrain 1st GP2 Asia Series round 23 January 2009
FIA F2 Belgium Amaury Cordeel Dallara F2 2018 1:43.848[19] 2022 Sakhir Formula 2 round 19 March 2022
Formula V8 Japan Yu Kanamaru Dallara T12 1:48.216[22] 2017 Sakhir Formula V8 round 18 November 2017
GP3 Italy Luca Ghiotto Dallara GP3/13 1:48.228 2015 Sakhir GP3 round 21 November 2015
LMP2 United Kingdom Paul di Resta Oreca 07 1:48.579[19][23] 2019 8 Hours of Bahrain 14 December 2019
LMH Switzerland Sébastien Buemi Toyota GR010 Hybrid 1:48.926[24] 2021 6 Hours of Bahrain 30 October 2021
FIA F3 Sweden Dino Beganovic Dallara F3 2019 1:50.261[25] 2024 Sakhir Formula 3 round 2 March 2024
LMDh Switzerland Neel Jani Porsche 963 1:51.016[26] 2023 8 Hours of Bahrain 4 November 2023
GT1 (GTS) United Kingdom Jamie Davies Maserati MC12 GT1 1:56.478[27] 2005 FIA GT Bahrain Supercar 500 25 November 2005
LM GTE Spain Miguel Molina Ferrari 488 GTE Evo 1:56.942[19][23] 2019 8 Hours of Bahrain 14 December 2019
MRF Challenge Netherlands Bent Viscaal Dallara Formulino Pro 2:00.349[28] 2019 Sakhir MRF Challenge round 13 December 2019
GT3 United Kingdom Ben Barnicoat McLaren 720S GT3 2:00.675[19] 2020 Gulf 12 Hours 9 January 2021
Porsche Carrera Cup United Kingdom Harry King Porsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup 2:01.631[29] 2023 1st Sakhir Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East round 4 March 2023
GT2 Germany Mike Rockenfeller Porsche 911 (996) GT3-RSR 2:01.821[27] 2005 FIA GT Bahrain Supercar 500 25 November 2005
Ferrari Challenge Monaco Louis Prette Ferrari 488 Challenge 2:03.716[30] 2019 Sakhir Ferrari Challenge Europe round 17 February 2019
Formula 4 Morocco Suleiman Zanfari Tatuus F4-T421 2:05.437[31] 2023 F4 Saudi Arabian Trophy 15 December 2023
Stock car racing Germany Heinz-Harald Frentzen Speedcar V8 2:06.825[32] 2009 1st Sakhir Speedcar Series round 23 January 2009
V8 Supercars New Zealand Shane van Gisbergen Ford FG Falcon 2:06.9097[19][33] 2010 Desert 400 27 February 2010
Formula BMW Bahrain Salman Al Khalifa Mygale FB02 2:09.405[34] 2005 Sakhir Formula BMW Asia round 3 April 2005
TCR Touring Car Hungary Norbert Michelisz Hyundai Elantra N TCR 2:11.155[19][35] 2022 WTCR Race of Bahrain 11 November 2022
GT4 Saudi Arabia Khaled Alahmadi Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport 2:11.675[36] 2022 1st Sakhir Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East round 19 March 2022
Outer Circuit: 3.543 km (2005–present)
F1 United Kingdom George Russell Mercedes-AMG F1 W11 EQ Performance 0:55.404 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix 6 December 2020
FIA F2 Germany Mick Schumacher Dallara F2 2018 1:04.087 2020 2nd Sakhir Formula 2 round 5 December 2020
Endurance Circuit: 6.299 km (2005–present)
F1 Spain Fernando Alonso Ferrari F10 1:58.287 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix 14 March 2010
GP2 Asia France Jules Bianchi Dallara GP2/05 2:09.787[37] 2010 2nd Sakhir GP2 Asia round 13 March 2010
Porsche Carrera Cup Austria Norbert Siedler Porsche 911 (997 II) GT3 Cup 2:32.658[38] 2010 1st Sakhir Porsche Supercup round 13 March 2010
Paddock Circuit: 3.823 km (2004–present)
V8 Supercars Australia Jason Bright Ford BA Falcon 1:24.9102[39] 2006 Desert 400 24 November 2006
Porsche Carrera Cup Hong Kong Darryl O'Young Porsche 911 (997 I) GT3 Cup 1:26.0140[40] 2008 Sakhir Porsche Carrera Cup Asia round 8 November 2008
Formula BMW Germany Nico Hülkenberg Mygale FB02 1:26.997[41] 2005 Formula BMW World Final 16 December 2005
Oasis Circuit: 2.550 km (2004–present)
Porsche Carrera Cup United Arab Emirates Bashar Mardini Porsche 911 (991 I) GT3 Cup 1:03.819[42] 2017 1st Sakhir Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East round 10 March 2017
Superbike racing Qatar Mashel Al Naimi Ducati 899 Panigale[43] 1:07.487[44] 2017 3rd Sakhir Bahrain Superbike Championship round 11 March 2017
Supersport Bahrain Ali Al Shammari Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R[43] 1:09.597[45] 2017 3rd Sakhir Bahrain Motorcycle Racing 600 round 11 March 2017
TCR Touring Car United Kingdom Josh Files Honda Civic Type R TCR (FK2) 1:09.824[46] 2017 Sakhir TCR Middle East round 11 March 2017
Grand Prix Circuit: 5.417 km (2004)
F1 Germany Michael Schumacher Ferrari F2004 1:30.252[4] 2004 Bahrain Grand Prix 4 April 2004
F3 United Kingdom Jamie Green Dallara F304 1:54.048[47] 2004 Bahrain Superprix 10 December 2004
Formula BMW Hong Kong Marchy Lee Mygale FB02 2:10.784[48] 2004 Sakhir Formula BMW Asia round 3 April 2004

See also

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References

[edit]
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  3. ^ "Bahrain 'tried to stop GP'". BBC News. 25 March 2004. Retrieved 13 April 2007.
  4. ^ a b c "Bahrain Race Preview". FIA Communications Department. Archived from the original on 2 April 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  5. ^ "Bahrain named Centre of Excellence by FIA". Formula1.com. 13 April 2007. Archived from the original on 15 April 2007. Retrieved 13 April 2007.
  6. ^ "Jobs 'for generations to come'". gulf-daily-news.com. 26 April 2009. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  7. ^ "F1plus: Bahrain Grand Prix reinstated; race will take place on October the 30th". F1plus.com. 4 June 2011. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
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  15. ^ "F1 to use Bahrain's 'outer track' for Sakhir Grand Prix, sub-60s laps expected". Formula1.com. 28 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
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