2010 Bahrain Grand Prix: 12 - 14 March 2010
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2010 DATA:
Length / distance:
6.299 km / 308.405 km |
No of Laps:
49 |
2009 Pole Position:
Jarno Trulli (Toyota) 1:33.431min |
Lap Record:
M. Schumacher - 1:30.252 (Ferrari, 2004) |
2009 Fastest Lap:
Jarno Trulli - 1:34.556 (Toyota) |
2009 Top 8:
1. J. Button (Brawn GP)
2. S. Vettel (Red Bull )
3. J. Trulli (Toyota)
4. L. Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes)
5. R. Barrichello (Brawn GP)
6. K. K Räikkönen (Ferrari)
7. T. Glock (Toyota)
8. F. Alonso (Renault) |
Bahrain GP (2009) Facts:
| Full throttle ratio |
63% |
| Top speed race |
309 km/h |
| Longest flat-out section |
14sec / 1050m |
| Right-/left-hand turns |
9/6 |
| Tyre wear |
Medium |
| Brake wear |
high |
|
Downforce level
|
medium |
|
Gearshifts per lap
|
58 |
Circuit Profile:
The first FIA Formula One World Championship to be held in the Middle East was held in 2004 with the Grand Prix of Bahrain. The multi-million dollar project began in September 2002 when the Kingdom of Bahrain signed a long-term deal to host the championship.
A national objective, the success of the Bahrain International Circuit is led by HH the Crown Prince, Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, a lifelong motor sport enthusiast and Honorary President of the Bahrain Motor Federation (BMF). The Island already plays host to the Bahrain International Rally (part of the FIA Middle East Championship) and the development of the circuit is seen as a catalyst to further growth of motor sports.
Designed by maestro Herman Tilke, the Sakhir circuit is located 30 kilometers south-west of the island’s capital, Manama. The circuit is designed with five track layouts within a single complex. The construction of the circuit commenced in November 2002. The project utilised over 12,000 tonnes of stone, a third of it made up of Welsh granite for the track surface.
The original 5.411 km circuit can seat 50,000 guests in the grandstands. In total, the circuit can accommodate 100,000 spectators, all with the view of the cars heading off into the desert before returning to the oasis-styled infield. The track also offers the driver a unique experience through the circuit’s variable width at the end of the different straights, which allows diverse racing lines. The original 12-corner design also provides several overtaking opportunities.
However, for 2010, the track has been altered and lengthened to incorporate the circuit's short track which was not utilised in previous GPs but adopted in endurance races. As a result, the track now measures at a whopping 6.299km with 24 corners!
The arrival point for visitors to the country is the ultra-modern Bahrain International Airport, located in Muharraq on Bahrain Island, the largest of the Kingdom’s 36 islands. The airport lies a few kilometres north-east of the capital, Manama. Due to the Island’s relatively small size, the easiest way to access the circuit is by road via Bahrain’s efficient bus services or by car. Information on the two alternative routes from the airport is available at the circuit’s official website. Bahrain is also linked by road to Saudi Arabia via the King Fahad causeway.
Technical Review of Bahrain
Aerodynamic set-up for the car at the Bahrain circuit is about compromise. The circuit has many slow corners that demands a lot of downforce, though the circuit's width encourages the drivers to overtake. As such, speed remains an important factor, hence the compromise between downforce and speed. Another important factor is good traction especially in the turns coming out and leading to the start/finish straight. Another critical component at Bahrain is the high-level of tyre wear caused by the desert sand blowing onto the circuit. This affects the race strategy as it will be particularly crucial in 2010 with the fuel-heavy cars and hard braking in some segments. Moreover, the increased length of the circuit incorporating the circuit's short-track will undoubtedly affect strategy.
PAST WINNERS
| Year |
Driver |
| 2008 |
F. Massa |
| 2007 |
F. Massa |
|
2006
|
F. Alonso |
|
2005
|
F. Alonso |
|
2004
|
M. Schumacher |
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