Bahrain GP

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix 2024 | Start times & schedule

The F1 Bahrain Grand Prix 2024 became the first event to be staged in the Middle East back on 4 April 2004, and has typically been held near the beginning of each season.

The standard 5.412 kilometre circuit blends a number of straights, with several technical corners in the middle to challenge drivers, as well as offering up an exciting spectacle for fans. Originally staged during the day, organisers decided to host it under floodlights in 2014 to mark its 10-year anniversary. It has remained a night race ever since.

It was Ferrari who dominated the inaugural event, with Michael Schumacher leading Rubens Barrichello over the line for a 1-2 finish.

In 2010, a new circuit configuration was used – the Endurance Circuit – which extended the lap distance to 6.3km. However, the track reverted back to its original layout when Formula 1 returned to Bahrain in 2012.

When is the F1 Bahrain 2024 Grand Prix on the calendar?

The Bahrain Grand Prix is scheduled to start on Sunday, March 2, 2024, presumably at 3:00 PM GMT. However, the official time is yet to be announced. The race can be followed live through the live blog of RacingNews365.

This is the start time of the F1 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix

The Bahrain Grand Prix is scheduled to start on Sunday, March 2, 2024, presumably at 3:00 PM GMT. However, the official time is yet to be announced. The race can be followed live on RacingNews365's blog.

History of the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix

Work on the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir began in 2002 thanks to high domestic interest in the sport, and the venue beat the likes of Egypt, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates in the battle to stage an F1 race.

Schumacher won the first event in 2004, with Fernando Alonso taking the chequered flag in the following year for Renault. The Spaniard became the first repeat winner after claiming victory in 2006, before adding a third thanks to his 2010 win in the season-opening race for Ferrari.

Cancellation in 2011 and ongoing controversy

The 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix was scheduled for 13 March, but was postponed a month prior to its running due to civil unrest in the country as part of a series of protests across North Africa and the Middle East.

Organisers were initially given until 1 May to decide whether they would proceed with the race at a later date, with that deadline then pushed back to 3 June.

At a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council on 3 June, FIA members unanimously voted to hold the Bahrain Grand Prix on 30 October. However, a week after the decision was made, F1 announced the cancellation of the race for 2011.

Human rights activists called for the 2012 event to be called off, too, following reports of excessive force used by authorities on protestors. Nevertheless, the Grand Prix was held on 22 April, reverting to the configuration last used in 2009 rather than the Endurance Circuit configuration seen in 2010.

The race was postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and eventually took place on 29 November, the first of two events held at the Bahrain International Circuit over two weekends. The second race, called the Sakhir Grand Prix, used a shorter configuration of the track.

Most successful F1 drivers and teams

Lewis Hamilton is the most successful driver in Bahrain, having won the race five times. He is followed by Sebastian Vettel on four wins, with Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa next on the list with three and two victories respectively.

As far as constructors go, Ferrari have seven wins, followed by Mercedes with six. Renault has taken the chequered flag on two occasions and Red Bull on three occasions.

The 2023 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix

The Bahrain Grand Prix of last year was dominated by Max Verstappen. His teammate Sergio Perez followed in second place, with a gap of almost twelve seconds between the two Red Bull drivers. Surprisingly, Fernando Alonso secured the third position, allowing the Aston Martin team to unexpectedly clinch a podium in the first race of the season.