BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL FORMULA 1 - CIRCUIT INFORMATION AND RACE PROGRAM
THE 2008 BAHRAIN FORMULA ONE GP
The Kingdom of Bahrain is an island group located off the central southern shores of the Arabian Gulf between Saudi Arabia's east coast and the Qatar peninsula. The Kingdom of Bahrain comprises of some 36 islands, of which the largest is Bahrain Island, on which the capital city of Manama, is situated. This main island is about 48 km long from north to south and about 16 km wide from east to west.
The Bahrain International Formula 1 Circuit is located in Sakhir, a slow and sleepy oasis where camel traders and fisherman have been gathering for thousands of years, just a short 30 km drive to the south of Manama. Centuries of heritage and tradition lie in this barren landscape. The desert at Sakhir is not the traditional sea of sand, which one would normally associate with a typically desert environment, but a harsh landscape with natural rock strewn escarpments. The circuit, situated in the Sakhir Oasis, symbolises the meeting of the old and the new. The old road to the former oasis and camel farm at Sakhir has now become a black and shiny, ultra modern Grand Prix Formula One circuit tarmac of 5.411 km in length.
BAHRAIN FORMULA 1 CIRCUIT INFORMATION
General
The Bahrain International GP Circuit has been designed with the spectator in mind, containing no less than six different circuit layouts within one complex. Together, the landmark 9 story VIP viewing tower (Sahkir Tower), the first class hospitality suites, the grandstands and spectator areas for 70,000 people, an international broadcasting centre and a media centre for 500 journalists, all add up to a truly amazing and unique purpose-built Formula 1 GP circuit. No expense was spared to build this Formula One circuit, which features a unique local Arabic atmosphere. The pits, paddock and start/finish area presents a distinct "oasis" feel, but the circuit's two “desert loops” take the racing cars into a more typical desert landscape.
Everyone agrees that this US $ 150 million Bahrain Formula 1 Circuit is setting new standards and is a truly unique circuit.
What the drivers say
The Bahrain International Circuit is a challenging Formula 1 circuit, with a few really fast corners, but also featuring a lot of slow and medium-speed corners, which require substancial down force. Although it is regarded as a high down force circuit, the three long straights require a compromise between minimizing straight-line drag and adequate down force in the corners, which can be difficult to achieve. The circuit has a lot of run-off area, so if a driver goes off the track, there is a good chance that he will get back on the circuit, without too much difficulty or damage. The circuit also presents good overtaking opportunities, which normally provide for an exciting Grand Prix.
Due to its layout with three long straights joined by slow corners and its high grip level, the circuit is very tough on both brakes and tyres. A characteristic of the surface at Bahrain is that it retains heat, with track temperatures reaching over 50 degrees centigrade. This demands good grip and durability from the tyres. As the circuit is surrounded by desert, sand on the track makes it slippery off and sometimes even on the racing line.
The two major concerns for the circuit, is therefore the high ambient and track temperatures as well as the amount of sand, which usually finds its way onto the circuit. The teams will use their maximum cooling bodywork packages, and take a lot of time with additional air filters and protection for things such as suspension pivots and wheel bearings.
While the facilities in generally draws resounding praise, some racing drivers look at the Bahrain International Circuit as a bit of a power-on, power-off circuit.
RACING PROGRAM AND EVENT INFORMATION
Although not yet finalised for 2008, we have included the 2006 Formula 1 program, to give you an idea of what the event program should look like. Except for the two Friday free practices sessions, which will be extended to two 90 minute sessions for 2008, we do not expect any other major changes from the 2006 program.
So please take note that the following 2006 program and information could change for 2008.
FRIDAY
| 11h00 – 12h00 |
Formula 1 |
Free Practice Session 1 |
| 12h30 – 13h00 |
Pro Celebrity Challenge |
Free Practice Session 1 |
| 14h00 – 15h00 |
Formula 1 |
Free Practice Session 2 |
| 15h25 – 15h55 |
Porsche Supercup |
Free Practice Session 1 |
| 16h20 – 16h50 |
Pro Celebrity Challenge |
Qualifying Session |
| 17h30 – 18h50 |
Porsche Supercup |
Night Demonstration |
SATURDAY
| 11h00 – 12h00 |
Formula One |
Free Practice Session 3 |
| 12h30 – 12h40 |
Dragster Performance |
Drag Strip |
| 14h00 – 15h00 |
Formula One |
Qualifying Session |
| 15h30 – 16h00 |
Porsche Supercup |
Qualifying Session |
| 16h45 – 17h30 |
Pro Celebrity Challenge |
Race 1 (10 Laps) |
SUNDAY
| 11h00 – 11h10 |
Dragster Performance |
Drag Strip |
| 11h15 – 11h45 |
Pro Celebrity Challenge |
Race 2 (10 Laps) |
| 12h10 – 12h40 |
Porsche Supercup |
Race 1 (12 Laps) |
| 12h45 |
Air Display |
Stunt Planes |
| 13h00 |
Formula 1 |
GP Racing Driver's Parade |
| 13h25 – 14h00 |
Formula 1 |
Grid Presentation |
| 14h16 |
National Anthem |
|
| 14h30 |
Formula 1 |
Gulf Air Bahrain GP (57 laps) |
