2021 Bahrain Grand Prix Preview

With just days until Formula One kicks off the 2021 season, we bring you a complete preview for the 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix. 

Max Verstappen and Red Bull enter the season as favourites after a packed three day pre-season test coincidentally held here just over a week ago, but Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes look to prove that their early struggles were a fluke in their bid for an eight driver and team title double.

Further back, the midfield battle promises to be closer with the pecking order throughout the pack currently unclear, so here is everything that you must know ahead of the 2021 Bahrain GP.

 

Track Guide

Circuit: Bahrain International Circuit

Laps: 57

Race Distance: 308.405km

Tyre Compounds: C2, C3 & C4

 

Schedule

Date	Session	Time (UK)*
Friday 26 March	FP1	11:30am
Friday 26 March	FP2	3pm
Saturday 27 March	FP3	12pm
Saturday 27 March	Qualifying	3pm
Sunday 28 March	Race	4pm

*Clocks go forward in Europe on Sunday 28 March meaning that the race time is in BST but FP1, FP2, FP3 and Qualifying times are in GMT.

 

Three Key Points

• After struggling throughout the pre-season test earlier this month, attention will be on Mercedes to see whether they were sandbagging or genuinely have issues with their W12.
• Aston Martin experienced a series of reliability issues throughout testing, so will be looking to show more of their potential as the true pecking order begins to properly surface.
• Having set the second quickest overall time in testing, Yuki Tsunoda will be interesting to watch to see how he stacks up in the overall order on single lap pace.

 

Last Time Out

2020 saw F1 host two races in Bahrain with Lewis Hamilton dominating the first race under the ‘Bahrain GP’ title banner on the traditional layout, which saw a fierce crash for Romain Grosjean on the opening lap from which he miraculously walked away with minor injuries.

Hamilton then missed the second race – ‘Sakhir Grand Prix’ on the outer-circuit with Coronavirus, as the race saw a dramatic late twist in which Sergio Perez came from last place after the opening lap to clinch his maiden F1 victory.