2016 Track Preview; Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir

As we head to Sakhir for the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend for the second race of the 2016 season, Pirelli have nominated three compounds medium, soft and supersoft) are the same as those for Australia.

With Bahrain featuring a twilight start and a finish under lights, alongside the teams having now experienced the new tyre regulations, so may have more ideas as to how to get the best out of them.

With the Grand Prix having an 18:00 start time means that track temperatures fall dramatically as the race goes on. The track has a granite-based asphalt is rough and abrasive, which increases tyre wear. We have seen in the past that sand can often blow onto the surface from the surrounding desert which affects grip.

There are a number of slow corners where good traction is crucial, so the track is rear-limited. But at the same time, there are four fast straights, so a versatile compromise set-up is required. If a safety car is brought onto the circuit, it rarely affect strategy and there has only been two in the 12-year history of the race.

Here are the facts and figures going into this race weekend in Sakhir-

Bahrain has hosted the Grand Prix since 2004 when it was added to the calendar.

Fernando Alonso is the most successful driver to win the Grand Prix with three wins

Ferrari are the most successful constructor to win the Grand Prix with four wins

Race distance: 308.23km (191.53 miles)
Number of turns:15
Top speed: 299kph
Lap record: Michael Schumacher- Ferrari (2004)- 1.30.252

Last Five Winners from the Bahrain Grand Prix:-
2010-Fernado Alonso
2012-Sebastian Vettel
2013- Sebastian Vettel
2014- Lewis Hamilton
2015- Lewis Hamilton

My five things to look out for this weekend:-

1.Qualifying format- With much debate and drama surrounding the updated format which remains for this weekend, will we see it become more exciting? Or will we still be saying that the format is not good enough and hopefully revert back to its previous form?

2.Tyre performance- With the track going cooler as time goes on during the race on the Sakhir circuit; alongside the new rules that have been implemented this season, it will be interesting to see how that affects tyre usage this year. Will this impact anyone's race on Sunday as a result?

3.Safety car- With the threat of the safety car being relatively low at the circuit, with only two appearances since the track debuted in the sport in 2004, will we see the safety car at the circuit this weekend?

4.Performance of Ferrari- With Ferrari at the moment being Mercedes' closest competitor at the moment, all eyes will be upon Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen this weekend to see if they can translate their form in pre-season testing and Melbourne. Question is; can they win this weekend and take the fight to Mercedes.

5.Performance of the Mercedes team- With Mercedes being the firm favourites heading into the race this weekend, all eyes will be upon them to see if they will still be as competitive as they were last season. But with Ferrari showing good performance and pace in Melbourne, has their advantage and stranglehold on the sport been broken?

Sky Sports F1 are showing uninterrupted coverage of every Practice session, Qualifying and race for the Grand Prix (and every race of the season) and Chanel Four also are showing coverage, details for both are below:-

Sky Sports F1 – Friday (Practice 1 and 2) 11.45am and 3.45pm [Replays throughout Friday], Saturday (Practice 3 and Qualifying) 12.45am and 3pm [Replays throughout Saturday], Sunday (Race) 3.00pm

Channel Four :- Friday (Practice 1 and 2) 11.55am and 3.55pm, Saturday (Practice 3 and Qualifying) 12.55pm and 3pm, Sunday (Race) 3pm.

Sarah Jones- @jonesy_laaa