Formula of excitement

Manama : The track goes live today as racing gets underway in the 2016 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir.

The long-awaited start to action at “The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East” ushers in the second round of this year’s FIA Formula 1 World Championship. It is the 12th edition of the popular desert race, and third year since it was moved to a night event.

Formula 1 will be holding a pair of hour-and-a-half practice sessions today. The first will be at 2pm, followed by the second under floodlights at 6pm.

Action today will also take place in the TCR International Series and the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, both of which are a part of the stellar programme supporting Formula 1 throughout the weekend.

Racing this weekend will be around BIC’s 5.412-kilometre Grand Prix track.

 Following today’s practices, a third hour-long Practice will be held on tomorrow from 3pm, leading up to Qualifying at 6pm.

 The 57-lap Bahrain Grand Prix will then be on Sunday. It is scheduled for a 6pm start and will be yet another dramatic climax to a fantastic Formula 1 weekend in Sakhir.

 Mercedes and Ferrari are the favourites heading into the round. Mercedes are the world champions and they have won the past two night races in Bahrain. Their driver tandem of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are an undeniable force, and they showed off their strong pace in the season-opening round in Australia where Rosberg led Hamilton to a one-two finish.

They consider Ferrari to be their chief rivals, however, having shown their potential in both Melbourne and during pre-season testing. Sebastian Vettel joined Rosberg and Hamilton on the podium, although Kimi Raikkonen did not finish.

The rest of the field will be looking to spring a surprise on the top two, including Williams, Force India, Red Bull Racing, Toro Rosso, McLaren, Renault, Sauber, Manor and Bahrain debutants Haas.

 Fernando Alonso will not be competing in this year’s Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix due to medical issues. 

Hamilton is the two-time defending F1 champion as well as the victor in Bahrain since it was switched to a night race.

Rosberg joined Hamilton on the podium both times the past two seasons, and was the winner in the season-opener in Australia a fortnight ago. He will be hoping to get one better over his teammate this time around.