Bahrain Grand Prix

The Bahrain Grand Prix (Arabic: جائزة البحرين الكبرى), officially known as the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix for sponsorship reasons, is a Formula One motor racing event held in Bahrain. The inaugural race took place at the Bahrain International Circuit on 4 April 2004. It was the first Formula One Grand Prix held in the Middle East and was awarded the FIA’s prize for “Best Organised Grand Prix”. The event has variously been the second, third, or fourth round of the F1 calendar. In 2006, it replaced the Australian Grand Prix as the season opener, as the latter was delayed to avoid clashing with the Commonwealth Games. Bahrain held the opening race in 2010 as well, when the longer 6.299 km (3.914 mi) “Endurance Circuit” was used to mark Formula One’s diamond jubilee. In 2021, the Grand Prix opened the season once more after the cancellation of the 2021 Australian Grand Prix due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2025, however, the Australian Grand Prix reclaimed the opening slot as part of Formula One’s regionalisation strategy, and Bahrain was scheduled as the fourth race of the season. The 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix, scheduled for 13 March, was cancelled on 21 February amid widespread protests during the 2011 Bahraini uprising. after drivers including Damon Hill and Mark Webber had protested. Drivers, including Damon Hill and Mark Webber, voiced opposition to the race. In 2012, human rights activists again called for cancellation of the race over reports of abuses by the authorities. Despite safety concerns raised by team personnel, the race went ahead on 22 April. In 2014, to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the event, the Bahrain Grand Prix was held under floodlights at night. It became F1’s second night race, after the Singapore Grand Prix’s debut in 2008. Lewis Hamilton won the inaugural night edition, and the race has remained a night event ever since.