Bahrain GP -- History & Memories!

Bahrain Circuit

Shakir circuit history: The 2004 season was when Bahrain GP was first introduced in the F1 calendar. The Crown Prince, Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa who also happens to be the Honorary President of the Bahrain Motor Federation initiated the construction of the Shakir circuit. The first circuit to be confirmed by FIA to host a F1 race even before it was completely constructed. Though there was a request by the race organisers to cancel the Bahrain GP during 2004 season due to fear of not completing construction before deadline, Bernie Ecclestone refused the request. The circuit, still not complete went on the host their first ever F1 GP. Such is the power the F1 supremos!

The circuit's location in the middle of the desert presents a unique challenge. The breeze regularly deposits sand on the circuit thus affecting the race dynamics, though this has been taken care to some extent by spraying a adhesive on the sand along side the track. In spite of the geographic location and the whether conditions experienced at the track it was awarded FIA Institute Center of Excellence award in 2007 for its excellent safety, medical facilities, race marshals and the high level of technology required to maintain these.

The track has a combination of long straights, tight hair pin bends and fast flowing curved corner. This poses a unique technical challenge to the cars' aerodynamic setup because of the huge difference in the speeds of the cars around the corner; with the slowest being turn 1 at only 63 Kmph and the fastest being turn 12 at 255 Kmph. This year the reduced down-force and emphasis on mechanical grip regulations will only add to the excitement of the Bahrain GP.

The total track length of 5.413 Km and it has four straight line sections with the longest one of them being the start/finish stretch of 1.2 Km. It also has a total of 15 corners which with the long straights are pretty much the complete recipe for a thrilling race which poses unique technical challenges and has umpteen opportunities for overtaking.

Memories:

2004

The GP was held in Bahrain with parts of circuit yet to complete construction.
Michael Schumacher & Rubens Barrichello do a Ferrari 1-2 finish at the first ever Bahrain GP.
Michael Schumacher sets the fastest lap record of 1:20.252 for the circuit; no one has yet broken this time.
Jenson Button and Takuma Sato finish 3rd and 5th.
Special non-alcoholic drink was created for celebration on the podium, a unique blend of locally grown fruit - pomegranate and trinj - mixed with rosewater.

2005

Ferrari starts the season in bad form, struggling to keep up with the image created by the undisputed success in 2004.
Michael Schumacher retires on lap 11 due to hydraulic failure, his first mechanical failure in 58 races.
Alonso wins Bahrain GP, his career 3rd and Renault’s 100th.
Both Toyota and McLaren finish in top 5 displaying good pace.

2006

Bahrain is the opening GP of the season. Ruben’s is replaced by Massa as the Brazilian moves to Honda. Ferrari’s look strong this time.
Alonso becomes first driver to win Bahrain GP twice in succession after a race long duel with Michael Schumacher.
Schumacher takes second place as Alonso just about manages to re-join race in front at the final pit-stop.
Difference between Alonso & Schumacher at the end of race = 1.2 sec only!

2007

Head to head battle continues between the two top teams, as Kimi joins the Ferrari and Alonso moves to McLaren. But their ‘driver no. 2’s’ perform better than their more popular team mates.
Felipe Massa wins the race; the Brazilian displayed strong determination all weekend and bounced back after finishing 6th and then 5th in the first two races of the season.
Lewis Hamilton, the rookie driver of McLaren finishes 2nd. His 3rd race and 3rd podium finish of his career.
Kimi Raikkonen ended third and Alonso only 5th.
Result puts Hamilton, Massa and Alonso in the championship race with equal points each.

2008

Massa takes his second victory at Bahrain, second driver after Alonso to do so.
Massa and Kimi do a Ferrari 1-2 finish.
Robet Kubica finishes 3rd who had started at pole position, giving a lead to BMW Sauber in the constructors trophy.

2009