Bahrain GP History
Key Facts and Milestones
2004
- The first-ever Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix was held on 04/04/04 (April 4, 2004)
- It was the first F1 race to ever take place in the Middle East, making for a unique spectacle in the Arabian desert.
- Michael Schumacher claimed pole ahead of teammate Rubens Barrichello. They held their positions throughout the 57-lap race for a Ferrari one-two at the chequered flag while making history at Bahrain International Circuit.
2010
- The 2010 race in Bahrain marked the second time the Kingdom hosted the first race of the new season.
- F1’s 60th anniversary celebrations were also held in Sakhir.
- The race was held along BIC’s 6.299-kilometre endurance track configuration, which features 24 turns.
2014
- Bahrain held its Formula 1 grand prix at night for the first time in 2014.
- The floodlit spectacle provided the perfect setting for BIC’s 10th anniversary celebrations.
- The grand prix was described as one of the most thrilling and iconic races in modern Formula 1.
2019
- Bahrain celebrated its 15th anniversary in F1 in 2019.
- The event was also F1’s 999th race.
- Former England national football team captain and sporting icon David Beckham waved the chequered flag at the end of the race.
2020
- Due to circumstances that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic, Bahrain had the honour of hosting a double-header of Formula 1 races on consecutive weekends at BIC.
- Bahrain’s fire marshalls were later awarded the FIA President’s medal for their bravery in assisting Grosjean during the Bahrain GP incident.
- Sakhir GP took place along BIC’s shorter 3.543-kilometre outer track.
2023
- BIC welcomed a record-breaking race day crowd of 36,000 fans in 2023—the highest-ever single-day attendance at the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
- 10,000 of those fans were visitors from overseas—the highest-ever international crowd in the Kingdom.
- Two-time F1 world champion and three-time winner at BIC, Fernando Alonso, came third in his maiden grand prix with Aston Martin.
F1 Track Layouts

Grand Prix Track - 5.412km
- 15 turns (9 right and 6 left)
- Race lap record: 1min 31.447secs, Pedro de la Rosa in 2005

Endurance track - 6.299km
- 24 turns
- Race lap record: 1min 58.287secs, Fernando Alonso in 2010

Outer track - 3.543km
- 11 turns (8 right and 3 left)
- Race lap record: 55.404secs, George Russell in 2020