Formula One statistics for the Bahrain Grand Prix
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Formula One F1 - Bahrain Grand Prix - Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain - March 2, 2024 General view of drivers in action during the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix REUTERS/Rula Rouhana/File Photo
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Formula One statistics for Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sakhir circuit, round four of the 24-race season:
Lap distance: 5.412km. Total distance: 308.238km (57 laps)
2024 winner: Max Verstappen (Netherlands), Red Bull.
2024 pole: Verstappen, one minute 29.179 seconds.
2024 fastest race lap: Verstappen, 1:32.608
Race lap record: 1:31.447 seconds, Pedro de la Rosa (Spain), McLaren 2005.
Start time: 1500 GMT (1800 local)
BAHRAIN
The race, on the site of a former camel farm in the desert south of the capital Manama, started in 2004 as the first grand prix in the Middle East.
It was not held in 2011 due to social unrest and there were two races at the track in 2020 when Formula One was racing during the COVID pandemic.
Lewis Hamilton has five wins at Sakhir, all with Mercedes (2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021). Other winners still active are Fernando Alonso (2005, 2006, 2010), Verstappen (2023, 2024) and Charles Leclerc (2022).
Ferrari have won seven times.
Red Bull have finished one-two in the last two season-opening Bahrain Grands Prix, also leading every lap on both occasions. There were no retirements last year.
The track is abrasive and tough on tyres, with long straights and heavy braking. Crosswinds are also a factor.
George Russell made his Mercedes debut at the track in 2020, standing in for Hamilton.
The race has moved from first on the calendar to fourth due to the timing of Ramadan, but Sakhir hosted the only pre-season test last February.
CHAMPIONSHIP
McLaren's Lando Norris leads the drivers' championship, just one point clear of Verstappen. The Briton has not finished lower than second so far.
Leaders and champions McLaren are 36 points clear of Mercedes and 50 ahead of Red Bull.
Renault-owned Alpine are the only team yet to score this season.
RACE WINS
Hamilton has a record 105 career victories from 359 starts. Verstappen has won 64 grands prix, twice Alonso's career tally, and is third on the all-time list after Schumacher on 91.
McLaren's Lando Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri have each won once this season.
POLE POSITION
Hamilton has a record 104 career poles, his most recent in Hungary in 2023.
Norris, Piastri and Verstappen have been on pole so far this season.
ROOKIES
Three of the six drivers starting a season for the first time have scored so far -- Andrea Kimi Antonelli for Mercedes, Oliver Bearman for Haas and Racing Bulls' Isack Hadjar.
Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber), Jack Doohan (Alpine) and Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) have yet to open their accounts.
MILESTONE
At last Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix Antonelli became the youngest driver to set a fastest lap and lead a race at the age of 18 years and 224 days. REUTERS
