Circuit of the past · Sakhir

Bahrain

Grand Prix years
2004–2025
Grands Prix held
22
Lap length
5.412 km
Corners
15
Type
Race circuit
Elevation change
21 m

About the circuit

A track in the desert

The circuit was built in the desert at Sakhir, and in 2004 it hosted the first Formula 1 Grand Prix in the Middle East, won by Michael Schumacher. In 2010 the race was run on an extended layout, in 2011 it was cancelled because of protests in the country, and since 2014 the Bahrain Grand Prix has been held in the evening under floodlights.

Two races in a week

In 2020 the circuit held two races back to back. In the first, Romain Grosjean climbed out of his burning car after it hit the barrier and split in two — the halo cockpit protection saved him. A week later the Sakhir Grand Prix was run on the short outer circuit, and Sergio Pérez, who had dropped to last after a first-lap collision, took the first win of his career. Lewis Hamilton has won in Bahrain more often than anyone else.

Championship races
22 — from 2004 to 2025
First race
Bahrain Grand Prix, 4 April 2004 — Michael Schumacher
Layouts
main — 5.412 km; in 2010 — 6.299 km; 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix — outer circuit, 3.543 km
Last race
Bahrain Grand Prix, 13 April 2025 — Oscar Piastri

Layouts by year

2004–2009, 2012–202520 races · 5.412 km · 15 turns
20101 race · 6.299 km · 23 turns
20201 race · 3.543 km · 11 turns

Winners

2025Oscar PiastriMcLarenfrom P1
2024Max VerstappenRed Bullfrom P1
2023Max VerstappenRed Bullfrom P1
2022Charles LeclercFerrarifrom P1
2021Lewis HamiltonMercedesfrom P2
2020Sergio PérezRacing Pointfrom P5
2020Lewis HamiltonMercedesfrom P1
2019Lewis HamiltonMercedesfrom P3
2018Sebastian VettelFerrarifrom P1
2017Sebastian VettelFerrarifrom P3
2016Nico RosbergMercedesfrom P2
2015Lewis HamiltonMercedesfrom P1

Records

Lap record1:30.252Michael Schumacher · 2004
Most wins5Lewis Hamilton
First Grand Prix2004Michael Schumacher
Races held22in the World Championship since 2004

The lap record is per circuit layout. Calculated by Gridlap from f1db history and the season’s results