After the lengthy winter break, the Formulation 1 World Championship returns this weekend with the Bahrain Grand Prix on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit.

The 2024 season does not carry a lot in the way in which of latest automotive designs or new drivers, however there is a file 24 races to look ahead to. Three of these races will probably be held within the U.S. alone, similar to final 12 months.

The Bahrain Worldwide Circuit is a everlasting fixture on the F1 calendar and for the previous three seasons has hosted the opening spherical. It’s positioned on a former camel farm within the desert space of Sakhir, and to reduce sand blowing onto the monitor the encompassing desert space is sprayed with a sticky adhesive substance.

The three.36-mile monitor is likely one of the most abrasive on the calendar. It consists of 15 corners delivering a mixture of low, medium, and excessive speeds, plus three lengthy straights, two of them designated as DRS zones. Flip 1 is normally one of the best overtaking alternative, the place the automobiles brake arduous from over 186 mph earlier than diving into a decent proper hand flip, then switching to the left hand facet of the monitor for a bit of corners. Flip 4 is one other passing level, earlier than the tighter second and third sectors, with the following DRS straight main into Flip 11.

Bahrain Worldwide Circuit, residence of the Formulation 1 Bahrain Grand Prix

Engine efficiency, traction out of the corners, and stability underneath braking make up the technical problem right here. As well as, as a result of abrasiveness of the monitor, tire degradation additionally performs an important position. Pirelli has nominated its hardest tire compounds for the race: C1 because the white arduous, C2 because the yellow medium, and C3 because the purple mushy.

Climate situations seem like gentle, with the height temperature anticipated to hover round 72 levels F for the race which is able to happen on Saturday as a substitute of the standard Sunday. That is to take care of a one week hole earlier than the following race on the calendar, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which can also be being run on a Saturday so as to keep away from a conflict with the beginning of Ramadan.

Following three days of testing final week, which additionally befell on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit, the consensus is that reigning champions Pink Bull Racing remains to be very a lot the crew to beat. Mercedes-Benz AMG has additionally proven spectacular tempo and can seemingly be the crew that provides the best competitors for Pink Bull.

All eyes will probably be on Pink Bull’s Max Verstappen, who received in Bahrain final 12 months and is chasing his fourth-straight title. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton additionally returns for an try at a file eighth title, and his final season at Mercedes. He is already confirmed a swap to Ferrari in 2025.