Track length
5.412 km
Number of laps
57 (308.238 Km)
Number of corners
11 (left:4) (right:7)
Top speed
315 Km/h
Start line offset
246 m
Downforce setup
medium
Best lap
M. Schumacher - 1'30''252 (2004, Ferrari)
Record Pole
M. Schumacher - 1'30''139 (2004, Ferrari)
2005 Pole
F. Alonso - 1'32''054 (Renault)
2005 Podium
1. F. Alonso
2. J. Trulli
3. K. Raikkonen
Web: http://www.bahraingp.com
The 2004 Grand Prix of Bahrain marked the first ever round of the FIA Formula One World Championship to be held in the Middle East and the official culmination of a multi-million dollar project started back in September 2002 when the Kingdom of Bahrain signed a long-term deal to host the event.
Located at Sakhir, 30 km south-west of the island's capital, Manama, the Herman Tilke designed circuit contains no less than five track layouts within one complex. Construction began in November 2002 and in the months prior to its March 2004 completion, work was going on around the clock. Over 12,000 tonnes of stone were used in the build, a third of it Welsh granite, chosen for the track surface due to its excellent adhesive qualities.
The 5.411 km Grand Prix circuit was designed with the spectator in mind, with 50,000 grandstand seats, all providing excellent views. Those spectators (a total of 100,000 over a race weekend) get to see the cars heading into the external desert area, before coming back into the oasis-styled infield. Up to 500 journalists can also witness the action from the venue's purpose-built media centre.
The track offers the driver a unique experience in the way the circuit's width varies at the end of the different straights. This allows for diverse racing lines, and the 12-corner design provides at least three genuine overtaking opportunities.
Most fans' arrival point will be the Bahrain International Airport, located in Muharraq on Bahrain Island, the largest of the Kingdom's 36 islands. The airport plays host to around 40 airlines and lies just a few kilometres north-east of the capital, Manama.
Given the island's relatively small size (48km long and no more than 16km wide), road is the most obvious way to access the Bahrain International Circuit, either using the Kingdom's efficient bus services or one of the numerous rental car firms. The circuit's official website suggests two alternative routes from the airport, both taking around 30 minutes:
Route 1 – From the Khalifa Al Kabeer Highway take the Sh. Hamad Causeway towards Manama South. After the bridge turn left towards the Al Fateh Highway and follow this to the traffic light junction signed Sitra. There, turn left on to the Majils Al Tawon Highway and once past Awali, take the Zallaq Highway towards Zallaq. Turn left at the junction signed Al Jazaer Beach and the circuit will come up on your left.
Route 2 - From the Khalifa Al Kabeer Highway take the Sh. Isa Causeway towards Manama Center. After the bridge, go straight on to the King Fasal Highway. Go through Seef District and on to Madinat Hamad where you should get on to the Sh. Shulman Highway. At the first roundabout go left towards Riffa, then at the next roundabout go right towards Awali. Once past Awali, take the Zallaq Highway towards Zallaq. Turn left at the junction signed Al Jazaer Beach and the circuit will come up on your left.
Bahrain Island is also linked by road to the Saudi Arabian mainland by the King Fahad Causeway.
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Race
Pos No Driver Team Laps Time/Retired Grid Points
1 1 Fernando Alonso Renault 57 Winner 4 10
2 5 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 57 +1.2 secs 1 8
3 3 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes 57 +19.3 secs 22 6
4 12 Jenson Button Honda 57 +19.9 secs 3 5
5 4 Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren-Mercedes 57 +37.0 secs 5 4
6 9 Mark Webber Williams-Cosworth 57 +41.9 secs 7 3
7 10 Nico Rosberg Williams-Cosworth 57 +63.0 secs 12 2
8 15 Christian Klien RBR-Ferrari 57 +66.7 secs 8 1
9 6 Felipe Massa Ferrari 57 +69.9 secs 2
10 14 David Coulthard RBR-Ferrari 57 +75.5 secs 13
11 20 Vitantonio Liuzzi STR-Cosworth 57 +85.9 secs 15
12 16 Nick Heidfeld Sauber-BMW 56 +1 Lap 10
13 21 Scott Speed STR-Cosworth 56 +1 Lap 16
14 7 Ralf Schumacher Toyota 56 +1 Lap 17
15 11 Rubens Barrichello Honda 56 +1 Lap 6
16 8 Jarno Trulli Toyota 56 +1 Lap 14
17 18 Tiago Monteiro MF1-Toyota 55 +2 Laps 19
18 22 Takuma Sato Super Aguri-Honda 53 +4 Laps 20
Ret 23 Yuji Ide Super Aguri-Honda 35 +22 Laps 21
Ret 17 Jacques Villeneuve Sauber-BMW 29 +28 Laps 11
Ret 2 Giancarlo Fisichella Renault 21 +36 Laps 9
Ret 19 Christijan Albers MF1-Toyota 0 +57 Laps 18
Fastest Lap: Nico Rosberg 1:32.406
Qual
Pos No Driver Team Laps Time/Retired Grid Points
1 5 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1:33.310
2 6 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:33.579
3 12 Jenson Button Honda 1:32.603
4 1 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:32.433
5 4 Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren-Mercedes 1:33.233
6 11 Rubens Barrichello Honda 1:33.922
7 9 Mark Webber Williams-Cosworth 1:33.454
8 15 Christian Klien RBR-Ferrari 1:34.308
9 2 Giancarlo Fisichella Renault 1:32.934
10 16 Nick Heidfeld Sauber-BMW 1:33.374
11 17 Jacques Villeneuve Sauber-BMW 1:33.882
12 10 Nico Rosberg Williams-Cosworth 1:32.945
13 14 David Coulthard RBR-Ferrari 1:33.678
14 8 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:33.987
15 20 Vitantonio Liuzzi STR-Cosworth 1:34.439
16 21 Scott Speed STR-Cosworth 1:33.995
17 7 Ralf Schumacher Toyota 1:34.702
18 19 Christijan Albers MF1-Toyota 1:35.724
19 18 Tiago Monteiro MF1-Toyota 1:35.900
20 22 Takuma Sato Super Aguri-Honda 1:37.411
21 23 Yuji Ide Super Aguri-Honda 1:40.270
22 3 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes
***Bahrain Grand Prix 2006*** - 10-12 Mar
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