Circuit:
Sakhir, 5.412 km/3.363 miles, race to be held over
57 laps. Total distance 308.238 km/191.539 miles.
GMT start time: 11.30 Malta time 1.30 p.m.
2006 pole position: Michael Schumacher (Germany) Ferrari 1:31.431
Race lap record: Schumacher, 1:30.252 (2004). Resume of previous races:
2006 (Fernando Alonso, Renault) Alonso made a perfect start to the season, with Bahrain the opening race for the first time. Michael Schumacher started on pole for Ferrari, equalling the late Ayrton Senna's record of 65 poles. Kimi Raikkonen started at the back of the grid but finished third. 2005 (Alonso, Renault) Alonso started on pole and won his second race in a row and Renault's third. Schumacher retired with hydraulic failure after struggling Ferrari took a gamble and rushed their new car into service two races early. Trulli was second for Toyota with Raikkonen following for McLaren's first podium of the season. 2004 (Schumacher, Ferrari) Schumacher started on pole for the third race in a row and won, with Ferrari team mate Rubens Barrichello following in second place. Circuit details: Located in the south of the small island country and surrounded by desert, the $150-million Sakhir circuit is one of the most modern in the world. The undulating, clockwise Grand Prix layout consists of a kilometre long start/finish straight and 12 corners with three clear overtaking points.
Sand can be a problem, making the track slippery and accelerating the rate of tyre wear.
2006 pole position: Michael Schumacher (Germany) Ferrari 1:31.431
Race lap record: Schumacher, 1:30.252 (2004). Resume of previous races:
2006 (Fernando Alonso, Renault) Alonso made a perfect start to the season, with Bahrain the opening race for the first time. Michael Schumacher started on pole for Ferrari, equalling the late Ayrton Senna's record of 65 poles. Kimi Raikkonen started at the back of the grid but finished third. 2005 (Alonso, Renault) Alonso started on pole and won his second race in a row and Renault's third. Schumacher retired with hydraulic failure after struggling Ferrari took a gamble and rushed their new car into service two races early. Trulli was second for Toyota with Raikkonen following for McLaren's first podium of the season. 2004 (Schumacher, Ferrari) Schumacher started on pole for the third race in a row and won, with Ferrari team mate Rubens Barrichello following in second place. Circuit details: Located in the south of the small island country and surrounded by desert, the $150-million Sakhir circuit is one of the most modern in the world. The undulating, clockwise Grand Prix layout consists of a kilometre long start/finish straight and 12 corners with three clear overtaking points.
Sand can be a problem, making the track slippery and accelerating the rate of tyre wear.