Round 1 Bahrain

-

Track History: Bahrain International Circuit (2004-)

Previous Winners: Michael Schumacher (2004), Fernando Alonso (2005 and 2006), Felipe Massa (2007 and 2008) and Jenson Button (2009)

One of the newer circuits on the Formula 1 calendar, Bahrain held its first F1 Grand Prix in 2004 and in turn made history as the first circuit in Asia to host a Formula 1 race. The Manama track is set in the middle of a desert which gives the Bahrain Grand Prix a unique appearance, whilst the large run-off areas around the track make the circuit one of the safest in the world. A new circuit configuration will be used in 2010, with the ‘Endurance Circuit’ layout extending the lap lengths. Sand on the track has caused problems for the F1 cars in previous races, but last season Brawn GP’s Jenson Button stormed to halt Felipe Massa’s run of two race wins in Bahrain in a row.