The 2009 Bahrain Grand Prix

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Grand Prix Preview (courtesy: The FIA) - For team previews visit the 2009 F1 Team Reports Forum

The fourth event of the 2009 Formula One season will take place in Bahrain. Located south of the capital Manama and designed by German architect Hermann Tilke the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) covers an area of 170 hectares. It has five circuit variants, the longest being the Grand Prix course at 5,412km.

The circuit, which is located in the middle of the desert, offers drivers challenges they have not yet faced this season. Due to its unusual location the possibility of sand being blown onto the track is very real. Sand will minimise grip on the track and will see drivers putting engines through their paces. This year, the Bahrain International Circuit announced its partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme which will see the circuit take on environmental initiatives as part of its "BIC Go Green" campaign. In 2007 it was named an 'FIA Institute Centre of Excellence' in recognition of its excellent safety, race marshalling, medical facilities and high technology standards.



CHANGES TO THE CIRCUIT SINCE 2008

• There are no changes to the circuit since last year.


BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT – INTERESTING FACTS

• Welsh granite was chosen along with over 12,000 tonnes of stone for the construction of the track.

• Drivers don’t spray the traditional champagne on the podium upon winning. Although alcoholic beverages are legal in Bahrain the drivers spray a non-alcoholic rose water drink known as Waard instead.

Circuit data

Length of lap: 5.412km
Offset: 0.246km
Total number of race laps: 57
Total race distance: 308.238km
Speed limits in the pit lane: 60km/h during practice sessions; 100km/h during race

Formula One time table

Friday

Practice Session 1: 10.00 – 11.30 hrs
Practice Session 2: 14.00 – 15.30 hrs

Saturday
Practice Session 3: 11.00 – 12.00 hrs
Qualifying: 14.00 – 15.00 hrs

Sunday
Drivers Parade: 13.30 – 13.45 hrs
Race: 15.00 hrs

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First practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix is underway!

Air temperture is 32 degrees while track temperature is 44 degrees

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Drivers stream out of the pits for their installation laps headed by Vettel

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Hamilton and Barrichello are the last 2 drivers to complete their installation laps

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It will be interesting to see how Buemi who is a resident of Bahrain does on a track that he knows very well

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15 minutes into the session and no one is on track and there are no set times yet!

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Most of the teams are introducing a few updates to their cars but the major updates will be at the next race in Barcelona

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Teams don't want to be the first to go out as the track is very dirty and the level of grip is very low so the times and feedback recorded now won't mean much.

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25 minutes into the session and still no one has come out after their installation laps

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Someone is coming out ... it is Bourdais

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Bourdais starts a timed lap

Kubica on the track as well

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Kubica pits without going for a time

Bourdais sets a 1:38.697

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Raikkonen is on the track now

Bourdais improves with a 1:36.790

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Raikkonen is off!

He recovers but narrowly misses the tyre barrier!

Rosberg, Alonso and Piquet are also on the track

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Rosberg goes fastest with a 1:36.069