Preview Bahrain GP | Will Mercedes bounce back after a troublesome test?

Bahrain International Circuit

The Bahrain International Circuit is the setting for the Bahrain Grand Prix. The 5,412 meter circuit is located in Sakhir and has 15 corners. The circuit is, like many on the current Formula 1 calendar, designed by Hermann Tilke and was first used in 2004 during the first ever Bahrain Grand Prix.

Where many circuits designed by Tilke are criticised, the Bahrain International Circuit is not. The circuit has two ideal places to overtake (turn 1 and 4), has a technical second sector and a corner that is typical for the circuit: Turn 10. For the drivers it is not the most difficult circuit, but it usually makes for fun races.

Bahrain Grand Prix

As mentioned before, the first Bahrain Grand Prix was held in 2004 and was won by none other than Michael Schumacher. He would also become world champion that year, which would also apply to Fernando Alonso who won in Bahrain in 2005 and 2006. Not every driver who wins in Bahrain will eventually become champion, that was for half of them: Eight of the 16 winners in Bahrain also became world champions that year.

Because of the surplus of long straights, it is not surprising that every year a driver wins whose engine was an excellent weapon. For example, Ferrari have won six times in Bahrain, and Mercedes have also had five victories in the desert. Red Bull Racing and Renault won twice each. 

Formula 1 in 2021

The 2021 Formula 1 season has started with a three-day winter test in Bahrain, and the teams have already had a filming day. Everything to make as many metres as possible before the start of the season, because testing for F1 teams is limited. Despite the fact that all cars would remain the same, some things have changed.

Where the aim was to carry over as much as possible from 2020 to 2021, the changes to the floor and diffuser have had more impact on the teams than expected. The same goes for Pirelli's new tyres, which were only introduced at the last minute. With only three days of testing it remains to be seen if the teams have all the answers to their questions yet?

Prediction for the Bahrain GP

With only a winter test behind them it is difficult to make any predictions for the first Grand Prix. Mercedes is one of the favourites based on their seven world titles and barely changed regulations, but based on the winter test you also have to include Red Bull Racing. With Max Verstappen' s victory in Abu Dhabi, Red Bull ended 2020 on a perfect note and looks set to make a strong start to 2021.

How exciting the title race becomes in 2021 will depend on how close the two teams are. The midfield is close, but too far away from these two teams. Ferrari also don't seem to have escaped the midfield yet, despite a new engine. At the back we find Alfa Romeo, Haas and Williams, just like last year. 

Weather forecast

Rain is not a problem in the desert, but just like during the winter test, the wind seems to be a factor. On Friday and Sunday the forecast is Weather.com The forecast is 33 and 34 degrees during the day and 23 and 21 degrees in the evening, but that will drop considerably on Sunday. Then it's 25 degrees during the day and 20 degrees in the evening with lots of wind.

So the teams have to deal with lower temperatures during the race, but the wind force will also double on Sunday. On Friday and Saturday, the wind force will be respectively 18 and 22 km/h, where it will be 44 km/h on Sunday. No rain, but changeable weather conditions during the weekend.

Timetable Grand Prix of Bahrain 2021

Friday

First free practice: 11:30-12:30

Second free practice: 15:00-16:00

Saturday

Third free practice: 12:00-13:00

Qualification: 15:00-16:00

Sunday

Race: 16:00-18:00