After a break of nearly 20 months, Formula 1 action is set to return to the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir this weekend, with two free practices set for today.
For the first time in the kingdom’s history, a double-header event is kicking off today with 90-minute Free Practice sessions at 2pm and 6pm.
Bahrain will be the stage for the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend along the 5.412-kilometre Grand Prix Track and the F1 Rolex Sakhir Grand Prix next weekend along the 3.543km Outer Track.
A number of teams were at the track yesterday with engineers for the customary Track Walk to get a closer look at the circuit’s two layouts in order to gain additional data for their set-ups.
Balanced
“I really enjoy the track here because of how technical each turn can be,” Scuderia AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly told the GDN.
“There is a big braking zone in turn one and lots of high speed corners. My favourite is Turn 11 which is one of the fastest in the track.
“You get to the corner at a speed of nearly 190km/h and then you are supposed to break very late into the corner so you don’t get overtaken.
“Overall, it’s a very balanced track – there are low speed, medium speed and high speed segments. I like the combination and I love coming to this track.”
This weekend’s Grand Prix marks the 15th of 17 rounds in the 2020 F1 calendar. Due to its being held much later in the year than usual, there is a higher-than-usual chance of rain during Sunday’s race, which could lead to the first F1 wet night desert race.
Cooler temperatures await F1’s teams and star drivers over the weekend. In addition, the practice and qualifying sessions will take place in the afternoon and early evening, while the race itself will be held from 5.10pm to 7.10pm on Sunday, requiring adjustments in setup to adapt to changing track temperatures.
Gasly is looking to turn his luck around this weekend after a 13th place finish in Turkey. Though he has had a relatively mediocre year, currently sitting at 10th with 63 points, he proved his capacity to surprise when he stole the Italian Grand Prix from F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Mercedes head into the race weekend having already secured the constructors’ championship, but will still be looking for a repeat of their 2019 success when Lewis Hamilton led teammate Valtteri Bottas to a stunning one-two finish.
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Hamilton has also already clinched the drivers’ title, but will be looking to match Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel’s four-time win record in Bahrain this weekend and beat it next weekend.
With six notches on their belt, Ferrari have the most victories in Bahrain, with the last win coming in 2018 for Vettel.
“F1 racing is back at Bahrain International Circuit and we are thrilled to be kicking off our much-anticipated F1 double-header with the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix,” said BIC chief executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa.
“We extend the warmest welcome to our international guests who will be competing over the the next couple of weeks, and we hope everyone has a safe and comfortable stay.
“We at BIC especially look forward to welcoming our highly appreciated front-liners, first-responders and their family members, for the race on Sunday, and giving them the memorable occasion they deserve.”
While the event is closed to the general public, frontline health workers and first responders, along with members of their immediate families, have been invited to join.
Precautionary guidelines have been put in place to ensure optimal social distancing.
“BIC has modified the seating along its Main Grandstand for those attending in a way that allows for social distancing,” said a BIC spokesperson.
“The circuit has also provided kits that include a face mask, hand sanitisers and instructions reminding the spectators of all precautionary guidelines that have been put in place to help ensure the health and safety of all.”
Following today’s action, a third 60-minute F1 Practice will be held tomorrow at 2pm, to be followed by Qualifying at 5pm, which will determine the grid positions for Sunday’s 57-lap night race.
There will also be plenty of supporting races to keep frontliners and their families entertained. The FIA Formula 2 Championship will be holding its Practice at 12.35pm and Qualifying at 4.15pm today.
Meanwhile, the Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East has two practices set for 11.25am and 7.55pm.
F2’s penultimate round of its 2020 season will take the track this weekend, while the Porsche Sprint Challenge will kick off their 2020-2021 season.
naman@gulfweekly.com