2021 Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix: Round one race preview
Round one of the 2021 F1 season is upon us. Here's everything you need to know about the season opener in Bahrain.
The 2021 F1 season has arrived, kicking off this weekend in Sakhir at the Bahrain International Circuit.
The F1 schedule retains a record 23 races with the season starting a week later than usual, and not in Melbourne, Australia as in the past.
It's set to be an exciting opener with new teammate pairings, updated rules and regulations, and some rebranded teams.
Here's everything you need to know about the first round of the 2021 Formula One season.
The track
The race takes place over 57 laps of the 5.4-kilometre Bahrain International Circuit on Sunday, March 28. Pedro de la Rosa holds the lap record with a 1:31.447.
TV schedule
Session | Date | Time (AEDT) | Channel |
Practice one & two | Friday 26th March | 10:00pm | Fox Sports 506 / Kayo |
Practice three | Saturday 27th March | 10:30pm | Fox Sports 506 / Kayo |
Qualifying | Sunday 28th March | 1:00am | Fox Sports 506 / Kayo |
Race | Monday 29th March | 1:00am | Fox Sports 506 / Kayo |
2021 Teams and drivers
Team | Drivers |
Alfa Romeo | Kimi Räikkönen & Antonio Giovinazzi |
Alpine (previously Renault) | Fernando Alonso & Esteban Ocon |
AlfaTauri | Pierre Gasly & Yuki Tsunoda |
Aston Martin (previously Racing Point) | Sebastian Vettel & Lance Stroll |
Ferrari | Charles Leclerc & Carlos Sainz |
Haas | Mick Schumacher & Nikita Mazepin |
McLaren | Daniel Ricciardo & Lando Norris |
Mercedes | Lewis Hamilton & Valtteri Bottas |
Red Bull | Max Verstappen & Sergio Perez |
Williams | George Russell & Nicholas Latifi |
Fast facts
Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton share the record for most poles (three) and wins (four) at this circuit.
Ferrari has clocked up the most wins in Bahrain, with six victories.
It was here where we witnessed Romain Grosjean's dramatic, fiery crash just moments after the race began in 2020.
Less than half of the races held at the Bahrain International Circuit have been won from pole position.
Kimi Raikkonen has finished on the podium eight times but is yet to win a race in Bahrain.
Our predictions
There's no doubting that Mercedes will come out strong, and will most likely finish Round One on top with Lewis Hamilton chasing his 96th career race win. However, there is strong competition in 2021.
We'll expect to see the Red Bull of Max Verstappen put up a good fight after a solid performance in 2020, but all eyes will be on McLaren. It's now boasting the Mercedes engine and a new and exciting teammate pairing in Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo. What's more, they'll be wanting to record their very first win at this circuit.
The mid-pack battle between McLaren, Alpine Racing and Aston Martin will be sure to bring plenty of excitement to the first race and the remainder of the season.
Let us know your predictions ahead of this weekend's season opener.
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