Bahrain GP -Track Talk

Tom Wilkinson's Track Talk – Bahrain International Circuit (Sakhir)

The Facts:
Lap – 5.412km
Race Laps: 57
Lap Record: 1:30.252
M. Schumacher (2004)

2012 Winner: Sebastian Vettel

Race Date: 21.04.2013

Safety Car – Unlikely

Weather – Dry, Hot

Tyre Allocation -Medium & Hard

DRS Zones: Pit straight and backstraight, with separate detection points.

The Circuit
The Bahrain International Circuit has a very technical layout, which is made worse by the sands of the desert making it very slippery. Like Shanghai last weekend, the twists and turns make it difficult to find the right set up. There are 3 long straights on this track, the top speed reaches almost 200mph twice per lap. The slower sections demand good mechanical grip, and a good balance in the car.

It's a demanding track, the 15 corners are tricky to get right. This circuit always produces plenty of racing action, and the best overtaking opportunities are towards the end of the straights. The more twisty sections are really just follow the leader, which is why field spread is apparent here from early in the race.

The Bahrain Grand Prix joined the F1 calendar in 2004, it was the first Grand Prix held in the Middle East. Since its inaugural race, Formula 1 has entered into Abu-Dhabi which is another popular race in this part of the world. Designed by Hermann Tilke, this circuit is built in the desert and construction started in 2002 as Bahrain agreed a long term deal with Bernie Ecclestone. The venue actually has 5 different track layouts, 2 of which have been used in Formula 1.

Tom Wilkinson's Pre-race Pointers.

It has been confirmed that Heikki Kovalainen has returned to the Caterham team as a reserve. The popular Finn will be in the car on Friday morning in Bahrain and also in Barcelona testing new developments for the car. Caterham have lost out to rivals Marussia in recent races, Heikki will play a key role brining the team forward.

Lewis Hamilton has declared himself as a title contender this season after his strong performance in China. The Mercedes is a much better car this year and is not far from rivals Ferrari, Red Bull and Lotus. Hamilton admitted the team still have work to do, but he says they are on it. It has been a positive start for the silver arrows in 2013.

Mark Webber will be hoping for a much better weekend in Bahrain after the nightmare of Shanghai. The popular Australian suffered a number of technical issues throughout last weekend, that was on top of the current controversial situation with teammate Sebastian Vettel. But this has been a race where Red Bull have had success in the past.

Don't forget that Formula 1 feeder series GP2 resumes its 2013 season this weekend, you can read all our coverage of the entire weekend right here as Driving for Pleasure.

Here is the full race weekend TV times on Sky Sports F1 HD

Friday April 19
7:45am – Bahrain GP Practice One – Live!
9:55am – GP2 Practice – Live!
11:45am – Bahrain GP Practice Two – Live!
1:55pm – GP2 Qualifying – Live!

Saturday April 20
8:45am – Bahrain GP Practice Three – Live!
11am – Bahrain GP Qualifying – Live!
1:40pm – GP2 Feature Race – Live!

Sunday April 21
8:45am – GP2 Sprint Race – Live!
11:30am – The 2013 Bahrain GP – Live!

You can stay up to date with all the Formula 1 news by following me on Twitter @TomWilkinsonF1 #TWF1 where I'll be commentating Live throughout the weekend.

I'll be covering each session live and keeping you right up to date with the very latest.

I'll be reporting right here at Driving For Pleasure on Qualifying and the Race, don't miss out on any of the action.