Formula 1 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix: Preview, Predictions, Circuit Information and Race Schedule

Ero Samson

updated at February 27, 2024 at 8:19 AM

Formula 1 heads to the Bahrain International Circuit for the first race of 2024
Red Bull will be looking to start their season the way they ended the previous
Sports Brief has compiled an extensive preview of the Bahrain Grand Prix

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After a 98-day hiatus filled with surprising developments and no racing action, Formula 1 is back with the first Grand Prix of 2024.

The start of what promises to be the longest season in the sport's history, featuring 24 races, begins with the Bahrain Grand Prix.

This milestone race, the 20th time F1 has visited Bahrain, comes with a slight scheduling twist compared to previous years.

Formula 1, F1, Bahrain, Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Drivers — Formula 1 drivers for the 2024 season pose for a group photo ahead of F1 Testing at the Bahrain International Circuit. Image: Adam Pretty.
Source: Getty Images

Despite this change, the pre-season testing suggests that 2024 may see less upheaval in the pecking order than witnessed in 2023. Red Bull Racing appears poised to build on their achievements from last year.

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Ensuring you are in on the act, Sports Brief provides a preview, predictions, and the race schedule for the 2024 Bahrain GP.

Bahrain Grand Prix Schedule

The 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix is set to span from February 29th to March 2nd, with various sessions and events scheduled across three days:

February 29th:

Practice 1 at 14:30 (GMT +3)

Practice 2 at 18:00 (GMT +3)

March 1st:

Practice 3 at 15:30 (GMT +3)

Qualifying at 19:00 (GMT +3)

March 2nd:

Grand Prix at 19:00 (GMT +3)

Bahrain Grand preview

Going by the results the F1 world witnessed at the pre-season testing, there will be only one winner of this at the Sakhir circuit — the team that won all but one of all the races through 2023, Red Bull.

The Milton Keynes-based team have carried over its outstanding form from 2023, setting lap times that seem almost unreal, akin to those seen in video games.

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The remarkable speed of Red Bull's RB20 car, as it enters the new season, was succinctly acknowledged by McLaren's team principal, Andrea Stella, who remarked to reporters in Bahrain, as reported by Reuters,

"There's one car that seems to have found a big step. Unfortunately, that is the car that was already the quickest last year."

Further emphasising the RB20's blistering pace, Fernando Alonso told Autosport.com that other drivers would likely be left watching as Red Bull secures victory in every race this season.

While Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes have made improvements to their 2023 cars, none appear to match the sheer pace of Red Bull, with many speculating that Red Bull may have been intentionally holding back during pre-season testing.

The prevailing sentiment in the paddock is that when the checkered flag falls at the end of the Grand Prix, both Red Bull cars will occupy the top two spots on the podium.

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Bahrain Grand Prix prediction

Judging by what is now the general notion in the paddock, we expect Max Verstappen to storm to his 55th victory of his F1 career. We expect the Dutch driver to be followed closely by his teammate, Sergio Perez, especially considering the Mexican’s outcome would significantly impact whether he gets a contract extension.