Bahrain Grand Prix: Difference between revisions
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The 2011 Grand Prix, due to be held on 13 March, was canceled on 21 February due to the [[2011 Bahraini protests]]<ref name="Bahrain Grand Prix called off due to protests">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9402871.stm "Bahrain Grand Prix called off due to protests"], bbc.co.uk, 21 February 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2011.</ref> after drivers including [[Damon Hill]] and [[Mark Webber]] had protested.<ref name="online.wsj.com">[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304259304576375282897276062.html?mod=googlenews_wsj "Bahrain's Crash Course; Formula One drivers for democracy"], 9 June 2011, ''[[Wall Street Journal]]''.</ref> |
The 2011 Grand Prix, due to be held on 13 March, was canceled on 21 February due to the [[2011 Bahraini protests]]<ref name="Bahrain Grand Prix called off due to protests">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9402871.stm "Bahrain Grand Prix called off due to protests"], bbc.co.uk, 21 February 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2011.</ref> after drivers including [[Damon Hill]] and [[Mark Webber]] had protested.<ref name="online.wsj.com">[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304259304576375282897276062.html?mod=googlenews_wsj "Bahrain's Crash Course; Formula One drivers for democracy"], 9 June 2011, ''[[Wall Street Journal]]''.</ref> |
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Human rights activists called for a cancellation of [[2012 Bahrain Grand Prix|2012 race]] due to reports of alleged human rights abuses committed by the Bahraini authorities.<ref name="Guardianjan/30/bahrain-grand-prix"/> Team personnel also voiced concerns about safety,<ref name="Guardian2012/apr/09/formula-one-bahrain-grand-prix"/> but the race, nonetheless, was held as planned on 22 April 2012. |
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== History == |
== History == |
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On 21 February 2011, it was announced that the [[2011 Bahrain Grand Prix]] scheduled for 13 March was cancelled due to the [[2011 Bahraini protests]].<ref name="Bahrain Grand Prix called off due to protests"/><ref>{{cite news| url=http://reuters.com/article/2011/06/03/motor-racing-bahrain-circuit-idUSLDE75219L20110603?feedType=RSS&feedName=hotStocksNews | work=Reuters | first=Alan | last=Baldwin | title=Motor racing-Bahrain GP to go ahead this year - circuit chairman | date=3 June 2011}}</ref> On 3 June, FIA decided to reschedule the race for 30 October. World champion racer [[Damon Hill]] called on Formula One not to reschedule saying that if the race went ahead “we will forever have the blight of association with repressive methods to achieve order”.<ref name=Cary>{{cite web| author=Cary, Tom | url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/8553124/Damon-Hill-calls-on-Bernie-Ecclestone-and-Formula-One-to-abandon-Bahrain-Grand-Prix.html | title=Damon Hill calls on Bernie Ecclestone and Formula One to abandon Bahrain Grand Prix| date=2 June 2011 | work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref> And [[Bernie Ecclestone]] told the BBC in an interview: "Hopefully there'll be peace and quiet and we can return in the future, but of course it's not on. The schedule cannot be rescheduled without the agreement of the participants - they're the facts."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.espnf1.com/bahrain/motorsport/story/50918.html |title=Bahrain GP cannot go ahead - Bernie Ecclestone | Bahrain Grand Prix | Formula 1 news, live F1 | ESPN F1 |publisher=En.espnf1.com |date=8 June 2011| accessdate=2012-03-05}}</ref> A week after its decision to reschedule the race, Formula One announced the cancellation of the race for 2011.<ref name="online.wsj.com"/> |
On 21 February 2011, it was announced that the [[2011 Bahrain Grand Prix]] scheduled for 13 March was cancelled due to the [[2011 Bahraini protests]].<ref name="Bahrain Grand Prix called off due to protests"/><ref>{{cite news| url=http://reuters.com/article/2011/06/03/motor-racing-bahrain-circuit-idUSLDE75219L20110603?feedType=RSS&feedName=hotStocksNews | work=Reuters | first=Alan | last=Baldwin | title=Motor racing-Bahrain GP to go ahead this year - circuit chairman | date=3 June 2011}}</ref> On 3 June, FIA decided to reschedule the race for 30 October. World champion racer [[Damon Hill]] called on Formula One not to reschedule saying that if the race went ahead “we will forever have the blight of association with repressive methods to achieve order”.<ref name=Cary>{{cite web| author=Cary, Tom | url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/8553124/Damon-Hill-calls-on-Bernie-Ecclestone-and-Formula-One-to-abandon-Bahrain-Grand-Prix.html | title=Damon Hill calls on Bernie Ecclestone and Formula One to abandon Bahrain Grand Prix| date=2 June 2011 | work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref> And [[Bernie Ecclestone]] told the BBC in an interview: "Hopefully there'll be peace and quiet and we can return in the future, but of course it's not on. The schedule cannot be rescheduled without the agreement of the participants - they're the facts."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.espnf1.com/bahrain/motorsport/story/50918.html |title=Bahrain GP cannot go ahead - Bernie Ecclestone | Bahrain Grand Prix | Formula 1 news, live F1 | ESPN F1 |publisher=En.espnf1.com |date=8 June 2011| accessdate=2012-03-05}}</ref> A week after its decision to reschedule the race, Formula One announced the cancellation of the race for 2011.<ref name="online.wsj.com"/> |
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=== 2012 controversy === |
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{{main|2012 Bahrain Grand Prix}} |
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Human rights activists called for a cancellation of the [[2012 Bahrain Grand Prix]], which took place on 22 April, because of reports of ongoing use of excessive force by authorities and torture in detention.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/ecclestone-insists-bahrain-gp-despite-human-rights-abuses| title= Ecclestone insists on Bahrain GP despite human rights abuses | author= | work= Al-Akhbar English| date= 12 April 2012| accessdate= 2012-04-20}}</ref><ref name="Guardianjan/30/bahrain-grand-prix">{{cite web| url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jan/30/bahrain-grand-prix| title= Bahrain has failed to grasp reform – so why is the grand prix going ahead? | author1= Lubbock, John | author2= Rajab, Nabeel | work= The Guardian | date= 30 January 2012| accessdate= 2012-04-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/04/14/bahrain-grand-prix-decision-ignores-abuses| title= Bahrain: Grand Prix Decision Ignores Abuses. F1 Should Consider Rights Implications of Scheduled Race| author= | publisher=Human Rights Watch | date= 14 April 2012| accessdate= 2012-04-20}}</ref> |
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On 9 April 2012, ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that according to an unnamed leading member of one of the teams who said his views were representative, “the Formula One teams want the sport's governing body to cancel – or at least postpone – the Bahrain Grand Prix ..., because of increasing safety concerns amid ongoing protests in the kingdom ... I feel very uncomfortable about going to Bahrain. If I'm brutally frank, the only way they can pull this race off without incident is to have a complete military lockdown there. And I think that would be unacceptable, both for F1 and for Bahrain. But I don't see any other way they can do it”.<ref name="Guardian2012/apr/09/formula-one-bahrain-grand-prix"> {{cite web| url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/apr/09/formula-one-bahrain-grand-prix| title= Formula One 2012. F1 teams want FIA to postpone Bahrain Grand Prix | author1= Weaver, Paul | author2= Black, Ian | work= The Guardian| date= 9 April 2012| accessdate= 2012-04-20}}</ref> |
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In that context, [[Anonymous (group)|Anonymous]] launched on 21 April 2012 the operation opBahrain, threatening the Formula 1 representatives of a [[cyberattack]] in case they go on with Bahrain Grand Prix. Hours later, Anonymous hackers took down the f1-racers.net website after launching a [[distributed denial-of-service]] attack on it.<ref> |
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{{cite news |
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| date =21 April 2012 |
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| url =https://www.zdnet.com/blog/security/anonymous-hacks-formula-1/11661 |
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| accessdate =22 April 2012 }} |
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</ref> |
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The 2012 Grand Prix reverted to using the 15-corner Grand Prix Circuit configuration last used in 2009, instead of the Endurance Circuit configuration used in 2010.<ref name="FIA2012"/> |
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== Characteristics == |
== Characteristics == |
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Revision as of 13:26, 16 May 2013
| Bahrain International Circuit | |
 | |
| Race information | |
|---|---|
| Number of times held | 9 |
| First held | 2004 |
| Most wins (drivers) |  Fernando Alonso (3) |
| Most wins (constructors) |  Ferrari (4) |
| Circuit length | 5.412 km (3.363 miles) |
| Race length | 308.405 km (191.634 miles) |
| Laps | 57 |
| Last race (2013) | |
| Pole position | |
| |
| Podium | |
| |
| Fastest lap | |
| |
The Bahrain Grand Prix (Arabic: جائزة البحرين الكبرى) is a Formula One Championship race in Bahrain sponsored by Gulf Air. The first race took place at the Bahrain International Circuit on 4 April 2004. It made history as the first Formula One Grand Prix to be held in the Middle East, and was given the award for the "Best Organised Grand Prix" by the FIA.[1]
The Bahrain Grand Prix has usually been the third race of the Formula One calendar. However, in the 2006 season, Bahrain swapped places with the traditional opener, the Australian Grand Prix, which was pushed back to avoid a clash with the Commonwealth Games. In 2010, Bahrain staged the opening race of the 2010 season and the cars drove the full 6.299 km (3.914 mi) "Endurance Circuit" to celebrate F1's 'diamond jubilee'.
The 2011 Grand Prix, due to be held on 13 March, was canceled on 21 February due to the 2011 Bahraini protests[2] after drivers including Damon Hill and Mark Webber had protested.[3]
History
The building of the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir was started in 2002 with high domestic interest about the project as it gave a future to the next generation of Bahraini racers. Bahrain had fought off fierce competition from elsewhere in the region to stage a F1 race, with Egypt, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates all hoping for the prestige of hosting a Formula One Grand Prix. By the completion of the project, the circuit became the center of motor sport in the Persian Gulf, as it held many other races such as drag races, GT races, Formula 3 races and the Australian V8 Supercar series.[4]
The first race was in 2004. The race was won by German driver Michael Schumacher for Ferrari. Fernando Alonso won the second Bahrain Grand Prix for Renault in 2005, and then became the first repeat winner of the Middle Eastern race in 2006 (again for Renault), after a thrilling race-long battle with Michael Schumacher. In 2007 and 2008, Brazilian Felipe Massa won the race for Ferrari. 2009 saw Jenson Button win for Brawn GP. After his 2010 triumph, Alonso became the first three-time winner.[5]
The 2010 race saw a new circuit configuration being used for the Grand Prix. It used the "Endurance Circuit" layout, extending the lap length to 6.299 km (3.914 mi).[6] The new track turns left shortly after Turn 4, the right-hander at the top of the hill following the first sequence of turns. There is then a sequence of five turns before the cars head back to the original circuit. Then comes a left-right kink before a tight hairpin returns the cars onto the main track.[6] The track would have reverted to its original layout for the 2011 race,[7] and did so for the 2012 race.[5]
2011 cancellation
On 21 February 2011, it was announced that the 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix scheduled for 13 March was cancelled due to the 2011 Bahraini protests.[2][8] On 3 June, FIA decided to reschedule the race for 30 October. World champion racer Damon Hill called on Formula One not to reschedule saying that if the race went ahead “we will forever have the blight of association with repressive methods to achieve order”.[9] And Bernie Ecclestone told the BBC in an interview: "Hopefully there'll be peace and quiet and we can return in the future, but of course it's not on. The schedule cannot be rescheduled without the agreement of the participants - they're the facts."[10] A week after its decision to reschedule the race, Formula One announced the cancellation of the race for 2011.[3]
Characteristics
A characteristic of the course is the giant run-off areas, which have been criticised for not punishing drivers who stray off the track. However, they tend to prevent sand getting onto the track and make Bahrain one of the safest tracks in the world.[4]
Although alcoholic beverages are legal in Bahrain, the drivers do not spray the traditional champagne on the podium. Instead, they spray a non-alcoholic rosewater drink known as Waard.[4]
Sponsors
Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix (2004–)
Winners of the Bahrain Grand Prix
Repeat winners (drivers)
Current drivers are indicated in bold.
| Number of wins | Driver | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Fernando Alonso
|
2005, 2006, 2010 |
| 2 |  Felipe Massa
|
2007, 2008 |
 Sebastian Vettel
|
2012, 2013 |
Repeat winners (constructors)
Current constructors are indicated in bold.
| Number of wins | Constructor | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Ferrari
|
2004, 2007, 2008, 2010 |
| 2 |  Renault
|
2005, 2006 |
 Red Bull
|
2012, 2013 |
Year by year
| Year | Driver | Constructor | Configuration | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Sebastian Vettel
|
Red Bull-Renault
|
Sakhir Grand Prix Circuit | Report |
| 2012 | Sebastian Vettel
|
Red Bull-Renault
|
Report | |
| 2011 | cancelled | Report | ||
| 2010 | Fernando Alonso
|
Ferrari
|
Sakhir Endurance Circuit | Report |
| 2009 |  Jenson Button
|
Brawn-Mercedes
|
Sakhir Grand Prix Circuit | Report |
| 2008 | Felipe Massa
|
Ferrari
|
Report | |
| 2007 | Felipe Massa
|
Ferrari
|
Report | |
| 2006 | Fernando Alonso
|
Renault
|
Report | |
| 2005 | Fernando Alonso
|
Renault
|
Report | |
| 2004 | Michael Schumacher
|
Ferrari
|
Report | |
Support races
 |
Formula BMW Asia supported the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2004, with Hong Kong driver Marchy Lee winning both rounds. But the series had logistical problems after the race, when the cars were delayed on their way to Malaysia, missing the next event and had to reschedule the rest of the season. Formula BMW Asia has not supported the Bahrain Grand Prix since, but the first ever Formula BMW World Final was held in Bahrain. The Porsche Supercup has supported the 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 races. The GP2 Series supported the race in 2007 and a celebrity race was held in 2006 with the likes of Simon Webbe competing.
Further support for the 2008 event was provided by the GP2 Asia, Speedcar Series and a series using Australian built Chevrolet Luminas.
See also
References
- ^ Huda Al Shamlan (29 March 2012). "Formula One Comes Back". Bahrain News Agency. Retrieved 2012-04-20.
- ^ a b "Bahrain Grand Prix called off due to protests", bbc.co.uk, 21 February 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
- ^ a b "Bahrain's Crash Course; Formula One drivers for democracy", 9 June 2011, Wall Street Journal.
- ^ a b c "Bahrain Grand Prix: in pictures". The Telegraph. 2011. Retrieved 2012-04-20.
- ^ a b "Race Preview: 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix 20-22 April 2012". FIA. Retrieved 2012-04-20.
- ^ a b Noble, Jonathan (2010-01-25). "Bahrain unveils new layout for F1 race". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Archived from the original on 28 January 2010. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Sakhir reverts to old layout for 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix | Formula 1 | Formula 1 news, live F1 | ESPN F1". En.espnf1.com. 2010-08-16. Retrieved 2012-03-05.
- ^ Baldwin, Alan (3 June 2011). "Motor racing-Bahrain GP to go ahead this year - circuit chairman". Reuters.
- ^ Cary, Tom (2 June 2011). "Damon Hill calls on Bernie Ecclestone and Formula One to abandon Bahrain Grand Prix". The Daily Telegraph.
- ^ "Bahrain GP cannot go ahead - Bernie Ecclestone | Bahrain Grand Prix | Formula 1 news, live F1 | ESPN F1". En.espnf1.com. 8 June 2011. Retrieved 2012-03-05.
External links
