The new Formula One season finally gets underway this weekend with the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The popular night time race in the Middle East is the first race of the season for the third year in a row, and the ten teams know the circuit well having completed three days of pre-season testing at the venue only last week.
That test firmly established Red Bull and Max Verstappen as favourites to defend their respective constructors’ and drivers’ championships and they will likely be the combination to beat in Sunday’s race.
The British duo of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will be hoping for a marked improvement compared to the struggles of last season, while Fred Vasseur is the new Team Principal at Ferrari as they eye their first title since 2008.
Here is your full briefing ahead of this weekend’s F1 Bahrain Grand Prix.
When is the Bahrain Grand Prix?
The Grand Prix weekend will start on Friday with First Practice at 11.30am UK time, followed by Second Practice at 3pm.
Saturday’s action will kick-off with Third Practice at 11.30am, before qualifying takes place at 3pm.
The race on Sunday will begin at 3pm.
What TV channel is it on?
The Bahrain Grand Prix will be shown live on Sky Sports F1.
Coverage of qualifying will begin at 2pm on Saturday, with the build-up to the race starting at 1.30pm on Sunday.
Sky customers will be able to livestream the action on the Sky Sports website and with the Sky Sports app.
Those without Sky Sports will be able to watch the race with a NOW TV day pass from £11.98.
Channel 4 will show extended highlights of qualifying on Saturday at 7.30pm, and the race on Sunday at 9pm.
Bahrain Grand Prix
- Circuit length: 5.412km
- Number of laps: 57
- Race distance: 308.238km
- DRS zones: 3
- Number of corners: 15
Who won the race last year?
Charles Leclerc won last year’s edition in Sakhir, bringing home a Ferrari one-two with teammate Carlos Sainz.
Hamilton finished on the podium ahead of Russel in P4 and Kevin Magnussen in P5.
It was a day to forget for Red Bull, who saw both Verstappen and Sergio Perez retire from the race with mechanical issues.
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