Bahrain International Circuit

The first Grand Prix ever to take place in Bahrain was back in 2004 and it was also the first Grand Prix in the Middle East. The multi-millions project started to take shape in 2002 and it’s crown Jules had to be the Tilke designed Formula1 Circuit. The circuit is in the middle of the desert at some 30 km (25 mi) of the capital city of Manama.

The circuit was designed by the German architect Hermann Tilke, who also designed the Sepang circuit in Malaysia. The main contractor for the project was Cybarco-WCT. The circuit cost approximately US$150 million to construct and it has no less than six separate tracks, including a test oval and a drag strip.

The circuit posed a unique problem, being positioned in the middle of a desert, there were legitimate worries that sand would blow onto the circuit and disrupt the race. However, organizers were able to keep the sand off the track by spraying an adhesive on the sand around the track.

The surface of the track is made of Graywacke aggregate, shipped to Bahrain from Bayston Hill quarry in Shropshire, England. The surface material is highly acclaimed by circuit bosses and Formula 1 drivers for the high level of grip it offers. The same aggregate material is used at the Yas Marina Circuit for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The first Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix took place on April 4th, 2004, making history as the first Formula 1 Grand Prix to be held in the Middle East. Bahrain fought off fierce competition from elsewhere in the region to stage the race, with Egypt, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates all hoping for the prestige of hosting a Formula One Grand Prix.

The Bahrain Grand Prix is usually the third race on the Formula One calendar, apart from the 2006 season, when Bahrain swapped places with the traditional opener, the Australian Grand Prix, which was pushed back to avoid a clash with the Commonwealth Games. In 2009, Bahrain was moved to the fourth race and then in 2010 Bahrain was again the season opener and Formula One cars drove the full 6.299 km (3.914 mi) “Endurance Circuit” to celebrate F1′s ‘diamond jubilee’. For 2011 however F1 was set to return to racing on the original layout used between 2004 and 2009. The race was postponed and finally cancelled due to protests in the country. And for 2012 is seems that all system are a go, go, go.

Race Date: 22 Apr 2012

Circuit Name: Bahrain International Circuit

Number of Laps: 57

Circuit Length: 5.412 km

Race Distance: 308.238 km

Lap Record: 1:30.252 – M Schumacher (2004)