Everything you need to know about this weekend's race!
Wednesday 15 April 2015 17:08, UK
F1 heads to the desert for the first floodlit race of the season at the Bahrain International Circuit.
So read on below as Sky Sports Online provides your one-stop shop for everything you need to know about the grand prix weekend.
Track: Bahrain International Circuit. Permanent circuit.
Race start time: 4pm UK time Sunday (6pm local).
Laps: 57.
Track length: 5.412 km.
Tyre allocation: Medium (white) and Soft (yellow).
DRS Zones: Two with separate detection points (Pit Straight and between Turns 10 and 11).
Driver steward: Mika Salo.
Lap record: Pedro de la Rosa - 1:31.447 (McLaren; 2005).
2014 pole: Nico Rosberg - 1:33.185 (Mercedes).
Wednesday April 15
8:30pm - F1 Midweek Report - China.
Thursday April 16
1pm - Drivers’ Press Conference - Live!
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), Pastor Maldonado (Lotus), Sergio Perez (Force India), Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull), Will Stevens (Manor), Max Verstappen (Toro Rosso).
8:45pm - Paddock Uncut.
9pm - Classic F1 - 1995 San Marino GP.
Friday April 17
10am - GP2 Practice - Live!
11:45am - Bahrain GP Practice One - Live!
3:45pm - Bahrain GP Practice Two - Live!
5:55pm - GP2 Qualifying - Live!
7pm - Team Principals’ Press Conference.
Maurizio Arrivabene (Ferrari), John Booth (Manor), Eric Boullier (McLaren), Monisha Kaltenborn (Sauber), Rob White (Renault), Toto Wolff (Mercedes).
8pm - The F1 Show - Live!
Saturday April 18
11:05am - GP2 Feature Race - Live!
12:45pm - Bahrain GP Practice Three - Live!
3pm - Bahrain GP Qualifying - Live!
6:45pm - Bahrain GP Qualifying - replay.
9:30pm - Ted's Qualifying Notebook.
Sunday April 19
12:10pm - GP2 Sprint Race - Live!
2:30pm - The 2015 Bahrain GP - Track Parade - Live!
3pm - The 2015 Bahrain GP - Pitlane - Live!
3pm - The 2015 Bahrain GP - Race - Live!
6:30pm - The 2015 Bahrain GP - Paddock Live!
8:30pm - 2015 Bahrain GP - highlights.
9:30pm - Ted's Race Notebook.
The Mercedes drivers were dominant in Bahrain last year as the high-speed nature of the circuit played to the strengths of their powerplant and after a race-long battle it was Lewis Hamilton who picked up his first Sakhir win. Fernando Alonso remains the most successful driver in the history of the grand prix with three victories. Sebastian Vettel and Felipe Massa are also multiple winners.
2014 result: 1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes); 2. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes); 3. Sergio Perez (Force India); 4. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull); 5. Nico Hulkenberg (Force India); 6. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull); 7. Felipe Massa (Williams); 8. Valtteri Bottas (Williams); 9. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari); 10. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari).
Last five winners in Bahrain: 2014: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes); 2013: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull); 2012: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull); 2010: Fernando Alonso (Ferrari); 2009: Jenson Button (Brawn).
Pirelli will bring the white-marked medium and yellow-banded soft compounds to the Bahrain Grand Prix - the same compounds that were used at the season-opening race in Australia.
The Italian manufacturer’s motorsport director Paul Hembery says: “We have the same tyre choice as we did in China for Bahrain, although there will obviously be a bit more temperature involved. However, with the race taking place in the evening, conditions won’t be as aggressive as they were in Malaysia – or even Bahrain two years ago, when the race was still run during the day.
"A defining characteristic of Bahrain now is that tyre performance changes over the course of the weekend as we slowly edge towards afternoon sessions. Last year’s Bahrain Grand Prix had a thrilling finish because of the safety car with 10 laps to go, leading to a great battle between the two Mercedes team mates. It’s harder to know what to expect this year - apart from the fact that it’s very unlikely to rain!"
After crusing to victory in China, Lewis Hamilton is the man Sky Bet are backing to take victory in Bahrain. Check out the full range of odds here.
Not a Sky Sports subscriber? Watch all the action from the Bahrain Grand Prix with a Week Pass from NOW TV.
