Bahrain Grand Prix

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**Bahrain Grand Prix**
Bahrain International Circuit
Laps	57
Circuit length	5.412 km (3.363 miles)
Race length	308.238 km (191.539 miles)
Most wins by single driver	Fernando Alonso (2)
Most wins by single constructor	Renault (2)
Last race (2006):
Winner	Fernando Alonso
Winning team	Renault
Winning time	1:29:46.205
Pole time	1:31.431
Pole driver	Michael Schumacher
Pole team	Ferrari
Fastest lap	1:32.406
Fastest lap driver	Nico Rosberg
Fastest lap team	Williams-Cosworth
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The Bahrain Grand Prix (Arabic: جائزة البحرين الكبرى) is a Formula One Championship race which first took place at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 4, 2004.

The Bahrain Grand Prix, sponsored by Gulf Air, made history as the first Formula One 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 UAE all hoping for the prestige of hosting a Formula One Grand Prix.

The inaugural race was given the award for the 'Best Organised Grand Prix' by the FIA.

Bahrain Grand Prix started 2006 Formula One season, replacing the traditional opener, The Australian Grand Prix (which was pushed back due to the conflicting Commonwealth Games).

1 History
2 Characteristics
3 Winners of the Bahrain Grand Prix
4 Support race
5 External links
6 See also

[edit] History

In 2002, the building of the Sakhir track was started. Bahrain is not yet interested on building a new grand prix track, especially because it has been in the F1 calendar for only three years.

The Project started in 2002 with high domestic interest about the project as it saw a future and a saver for street racers. By the completion of the project, the Circuit soon outshadowed the Kuwait Circuit and became the center of gulf motor sport as it held many other races such as occasional drag races and GT races and Formula 3 races.

The first race was in 2004 and it was won by German driver Michael Schumacher.

[edit] Characteristics

The Grand Prix itself is an enormous event both domestic and international. Crowds gather in high numbers both from the gulf and from around the world. The Grand Prix is a cultural interaction where people from every part of the world including celebrities make appearances in this race. The Race is a 3-day event that is more like a 3-day festival.

Hermann Tilke built the track, and because of that has received some criticism, as some believe that Tilke's designs are too simple and robotic. Of course, there has been a fair amount of overtaking in each of the grands prix, which has lessened the amount of criticism. Another common criticism of the course is the giant run-off areas, which don't punish drivers who fail to stay on the track. While this rewards drivers who commonly make errors, it also improves safety, as braking on gravel or sand is incredibly difficult.

[edit] Winners of the Bahrain Grand Prix

Year	Driver	Constructor	Location	Report
2006	Fernando Alonso	Renault	Sakhir	Report
2005	Fernando Alonso	Renault	Sakhir	Report
2004	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	Sakhir	Report

[edit] Support race

Formula BMW Asia supported the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2004, with Hong Kong driver Marchy Lee winning both rounds. But the series had logistical problems after the race, when the cars were delayed on their way to Malaysia, missing the next event and had to reschedule the rest of the season. Formula BMW Asia has not supported the Bahrain Grand Prix since.