Bahrain GP track breakdown: F1 speeds into the sands of Sakhir

Formula One returns to Sakhir and will race under the floodlights at one of the toughest circuits of the season for tires — the Bahrain International Circuit.

There are a few different elements to keep in mind with this track, whether it be how Turns 1, 4 and 14 are particularly hard on the brakes or how the abrasive surface means Pirelli brings the more durable tire compounds. Wind gusts (which impact the car’s balance) and the heat are two other factors that teams take into consideration.

The Hermann Tilke-designed track is nestled in the desert and features three DRS zones, a mix of high and low-speed turns and multiple straights. Because of its layout, it is safe to assume overtaking will happen, starkly contrasting what happened last time out in Japan at the Suzuka circuit.

Before you buckle in for the fourth race of the 2025 season (which happened to fall as the second grand prix during a tripleheader), here’s all you need to know about the Bahrain International Circuit.

Specs

Surroundings

The Bahrain International Circuit is nestled in Sakhir, in the southern half of the island kingdom. Desert terrain presents a complicated problem for F1 and the other motorsports series that compete on the track. Given that it is a night race in the desert, the air and track temperatures rapidly drop, impacting the balance of the car and tires. Both temperatures will increase on a sunny day, but while air temperature can immediately drop, the track cools more slowly as it retains heat.

The track temperature affects tire temperatures, which in turn impact degradation and grip. The warmer the tire, the more grip there will be. Even a few degrees difference in track temperature impacts how teams approach a session.

Teams also need to monitor engine wear because of the sand. If sand slips through the air filtration systems, this could cause damage, and teams have a limited number of engines each season.

History

Sakhir’s circuit was the first Middle Eastern track on F1’s schedule, with the inaugural race in 2004. Built on a former camel farm, the track designed by German engineer Hermann Tilke runs 3.3 miles in its F1 layout (it can be set up in other ways for different motorsports series). Construction began in 2002, and rock was shipped in from the UK to help form the asphalt needed to cope with the tricky conditions that come with desert terrain. Since the inaugural grand prix (which Ferrari dominated), the race has been held every year except in 2011, when a pro-democracy uprising led to its cancellation.

There’s only been one season where the Bahrain Grand Prix wasn’t hosted on this specific layout: in 2010, when F1 used the 6.3km (3.9 miles) endurance circuit. But the Bahrain International Circuit has hosted two different F1 grands prix. When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down communities around the world, F1 needed to take a break of its own and rework the calendar. Bahrain hosted two consecutive races in the pandemic-affected season, one on a different layout (the ‘outer track’). The layout for the Sakhir GP was 3.543 km (2.202 miles) in length, and the fastest lap was set by George Russell (55.404 seconds).

Characteristics

The permanent circuit is similar to most modern-day tracks with long straights, but Bahrain also features pretty tight corners, meaning there will be plenty of heavy braking. Between the straights and three DRS zones, fans should expect to see a decent number of overtaking battles. Ahead of the 2023 race, the DRS zone on the main straight was shortened by 80 meters (262 feet).

It’s worth noting that there are no natural features to block or slow the moving air, and drivers are competing under the floodlights. Teams must prepare for a wide range of temperatures throughout the weekend, as only the second practice and qualifying are run around the same time as the race.

While the track map may seem straightforward, there is plenty of room for error because of a critical factor: the sand. Although organizers sweep the grippy track regularly and even spray an adhesive on the surrounding desert to minimize sand moving about, they can’t totally eliminate the threat. If a driver is slightly off the ideal racing line, which tends to be clear because so many cars keep to it, the car can start to slide.

Only one of the track’s corners is named: Schumacher’s Turn. It is Turn 1, the hairpin right-hander. Michael Schumacher won the inaugural Bahrain race in 2004 and even assisted with the track design. The gesture came in 2014, months after the seven-time world champion suffered his debilitating skiing accident.

Key point of interest

 

Keep your eyes on Turns 10-12, at the end of sector two. This sequence begins with a tight left-hander going downhill, which you can see in the above video courtesy of EA Sports (you can now pre-order the 2025 edition of its “F1” game, which comes out May 30).

The drivers launch into a DRS zone as they barrel towards Turn 11, arguably one of the most exciting corners on the race calendar. It’s a medium-speed left-hander and a prime overtaking spot. Then they’ve got a tight apex with an open exit before flinging themselves to Turn 12, an uphill right-hander.

(Lead image: Mark Thompson/Getty Images; Design: Eamonn Dalton/The Athletic)