After the lengthy winter break, the Formulation 1 World Championship returns this weekend with the Bahrain Grand Prix on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit.

The 2024 season would not convey a lot in the way in which of latest automotive designs or new drivers, however followers can look ahead to a report 24 races. Three of these races shall be held within the U.S. alone, similar to final 12 months.

The Bahrain Worldwide Circuit is a everlasting fixture on the F1 calendar and for the previous three seasons has hosted the opening spherical. It’s situated on a former camel farm within the desert space of Sakhir, and to attenuate sand blowing onto the monitor the encompassing desert space is sprayed with a sticky adhesive substance.

The three.36-mile monitor is likely one of the most abrasive on the calendar. It consists of 15 corners delivering a mixture of low, medium, and excessive speeds, plus three lengthy straights, two of them designated as DRS zones. Flip 1 is normally the very best overtaking alternative, the place the vehicles brake onerous from over 186 mph earlier than diving into a good right-hand flip, then switching to the left-hand aspect of the monitor for a bit of corners. Flip 4 is one other passing level, earlier than the tighter second and third sectors, with the following DRS straight main into Flip 11.

Bahrain Worldwide Circuit, house of the Formulation 1 Bahrain Grand Prix

Engine efficiency, traction out of the corners, and stability beneath braking make up the technical challenges right here. As well as, as a result of abrasiveness of the monitor, tire degradation additionally performs a vital position. Pirelli has nominated its hardest tire compounds for the race: C1 because the white onerous, C2 because the yellow medium, and C3 because the crimson smooth.

Climate circumstances look like gentle, with the height temperature anticipated to hover round 72 levels for the race, which is able to happen on Saturday as an alternative of the standard Sunday. That is to keep up a one week hole earlier than the following race on the calendar, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which can be being run on a Saturday to keep away from a conflict with the beginning of Ramadan.

Following three days of testing final week, which additionally came about on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit, the consensus is that reigning champion Pink Bull Racing continues to be very a lot the staff to beat. Mercedes-Benz AMG has additionally proven spectacular tempo and can probably be the staff that gives the best competitors for Pink Bull.

All eyes shall be on Pink Bull’s Max Verstappen, who gained in Bahrain final 12 months and is chasing his fourth-straight title. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton additionally returns for an try at a report eighth title, and his final season at Mercedes. He is already confirmed a change to Ferrari in 2025.