Bahrain GP Preview

A preview of the Bahrain Formula One. Click here to check out tickets and tours.

In just over a month the glamour of F1 arrives in Bahrain again. So what is new for this year?

No Refueling

The major change this year is that no refueling is allowed, meaning the cars have to carry fuel for the entire race and hence need larger fuel tanks. In these cars, no space is wasted, so bigger fuel tanks means bigger cars.

Size Matters

Some cars, such as the Ferrari, have been made longer and this affects their handling. In addition, the driver has to remember the extra length. As Massa said, "I mustn't turn in too soon after overtaking". Other cars are higher or wider and this could affect their aerodynamics.

First Test

Last week saw the 2010 cars emerge from their garages for the first time in Barcelona, Spain. While it is too early to judge form, Ferrari topped the lap times throughout, first with Massa and then with Alonso beating Massa's time.

"El Kaiser" Returns

Michael Schumacher (or "El Kaiser" as the Spanish press call him) posted a very respectable 3rd place on his first showing since his return from "retirement".

Surprise Second

More surprising was the second quickest time of the day by De La Rosa in the Sauber. This was his first outing for his new team after languishing as a test driver for MacLaren for several years. Plus Sauber have a new engine deal as BMW pulled out after their poor showing last year. They are also looking out for new sponsers.

Williams F1

How about Williams, Qatar's "local" team? (See our Williams in Qatar article on Qatarvisitor.com). Well, sadly, they didn't make much of a showing here but it's early days, they have two new drivers and a new engine supplier, so lets see how they do in Jerez.

The rain in Spain falls mainly in..........Jerez!

Testing here starts on Wednesday, 10th February. At the moment it looks as if there will be rain for some of the time. That should make things interesting! Your racing correspondent will be there.

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Heading to Bahrain? Check out our Bahrain hotel guide.

The Desert Roars Again

The desert will indeed roar again in the Gulf - this time on the island of Yas as Formula One returns to the Gulf. November sees Abu Dhabi hosting its first Formula One in what will be the last race of the season. Check out our website guide to the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix for more information on the race.

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Bahrain Grand Prix.

By John

On April 26th, the 6th Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix will take place at the Bahrain International Circuit at Sakhir.

The race track, designed by Herman Tilke, the in-vogue track designer also responsible for the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia, is 5.4 kilometers long and the race consists of 55 laps, giving a total distance of 297.6 kilometers.

The race will be hotly contested by the 20 or so cars. At the moment the exact number is unknown following the withdrawal of Honda from the sport.

The former Honda team under the brilliant Ross Brawn, architect of much of Ferrari's success in the Michael Schumacher days, including the winning by Schumacher of the first Bahrain Grand Prix, are currently looking for a new owner but are hoping to be racing in 2009.

The other winners at Sakir have been Fernando Alonso, in 2005 and 2006 for Renault and Fillipe Massa for Ferrari in 2007 and last year.

Last years race was an early turning point in the championship, with a Ferrari one-two after a poor start to the season and BMW in 3rd and 4th, iving them a champonship lead.

Hamilton had a disastrous race last year, stalling at the start and then, in an over eager attempt to make up lost places,running over the back of Alonso's car.

Sakhir circuit features a variety of bends, slow hairpins, fast curves and complex corners with double apexes.

There are large run-off areas, criticised by some as being too forgiving of drivers' mistakes. However, I would rather see a driver able to carry on and attempting to make up lost places than a wrecked car in the wall and hard won advantages by other drivers eroded by the deployment of the safety car.

Another "feature" of the course is dust, which can make the opening laps of both qualifying and the race more hazardous.

One thing we can be sure of, the 6th Bahrain F1 GP will provide an exciting weekend of racing with plenty of drama.

Sakir Circuit, Bahrain.


Length: 5.4 Km.

No. of laps: 55

Race distance: 297.605 Km.

Lap record: M. Schumacher/ Ferrari 2004 1Min 30.252 sec.

Also check out our guide to the new Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix.

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Horse Race

The next exciting horse race meeting in Qatar will be on 29th January at Doha Racetrack - with the main race being the Championship Class 2000m for 4-years and over horses - serious prize money of 500,000.00.

Entrance and a program is free. In addition to the racing, children can usually enjoy a bouncy castle and pony rides. Although no gambling is allowed, there are plenty of prizes to be won, and you can enjoy the spectacle from the club's restaurant, set high above the race track. The next race is the 25th February. Go and have a look at these wonderful Arab horses and have a great day out.

By Jean

Also see: The Arab Horse: The Beginning

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