F1 Fans looking forward to the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix more than ever. Scheduled for on 3-5th March GP of Bahrain means Formula 1 2023 season is finally starts after long month of winter breaking. We prepared few interesting facts that you interesting to know ahead of the race.
Imagine that the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix will be the 20th race in Sakhir. Time flies. Do you remember how many years ago in Imola people were amazed with a brand new race under night lights in Bahrain? It was just years ago, when Sergio Perez won his first ever race in his career in Bahrain GP 2020. George Russell, who had replaced the covid-positive Lewis Hamilton, had a chance to win, but unfortunately he withdrew from the race.
We have already seen the racing circuit in Sakhir during the pre-season test. There is nothing, however, that can compare to the tension of a full Formula 1 race, especially at Bahrain International Circuit. Moreover, pre-season testing revealed a few insights that are adding a bit of spice to the first F1 2023 season race.
Insights from F1 pre-season testing 2023 ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix
There is one key point that you have to know from the F1 pre-season tests in 2023. The teams and drivers spent 3 days in Sakhir about 8 hours of work, which is more than 24 hours overall of drivers were trying new F1 cars 2023. So, there were no major incidents or serious crashes during these days.
Certainly, Sergio Perez lost parts of his new RB19 at first, while Ferrari had problems with DRS on their SF-23, but it means nothing compared to previous testing. Therefore, you can be sure that F1 2023 cars are very reliable.
Entertaining numbers.
Among current F1 drivers, there are two who can boast of victories at the Bahrain International Circuit in their pockets. Thus, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) leads the list with five victories, while Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) has four wins in Bahrain.
Although Sebastian Vettel had four wins, despite expectations, he retired from Formula 1 after 2022. There was a small chance Vettell would be able to replace the injured Lance Stroll.
In spite of this, Stroll, the son of Aston Martin’s owner Laurence Stroll, is fully recovered and practicing in simulators. At the same time, Aston’s reserve driver and 2022 F2 champion Felipe Drugovich is also set to be ready to run alongside Fernando Alonso.
A top contender for the 2023 Bahrain GP is Max Verstappen. In this way, with victory in Sakhir, he replenishes his winning pocket with 35th victory for Red Bull. This would be equal to the number of victories legendary Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna had for McLaren.
Storylines F1 fans are excited about the ahead 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix.
Among the many questions, there are three that F1 fans are most concerned about.
Mercedes’s promises.
First, it is about Mercedes and their new car W14. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell struggled a lot with the W13 cars as these were bouncing. In any case,
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff assured the press that the problem had been resolved. In a way, it sounds like a direct threat to their main rivals at Red Bull, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. Because if so, Mercedes will become one of the main competitors for the championship in the Formula 1 2023 season.
Ferari’s team is changing heads.
The second is about the Ferrari F1 team, which directly excited their fans. In short, Ferrari made a differ with their team’s tctics and startegy for F1 races during the 2022 season.
At some point, their opponents (Red Bull, Mercedes, McLaren) stopped taking them seriously, so keeping their way wasn’t possible. The team decided to change heads during the winter break. Thus, Mattia Binotto became the former employee, while Frederic Vasseur, previously Alfa Romeo’s team principal, took over.
Sounds ridiculous, but Vasseur holds a different point of view on the team tactics in Formula 1. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz could be directly affected in both good and bad ways. In which way? That is what we have already taken into account for the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix.
Rookie F1 drivers in the 2023 Formula 1 season.
As a third point of interest, the rookie drivers on the grid for the 2023 Formula 1 season will also attract attention. Young and hungry to win, they are looking forward to the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix to demonstrate their best efforts in Formula 1.
There are three rookie drivers in the 2023 season: Oscar Piastri for McLaren, Logan Sargeant for Williams, and Nyck de Vries for Alpha Tauri. How will they fare and who has the most potential? We will get the first impression at the Bahrain GP.
However, two of them started Formula 1 with very loud stories that arose. Talented 2020–21 Formula E champion 28 y.o Nyck de Vries faced a legal battle over the matter of a loan he took back in 2018. In spite of this, he cleared a dispute over a loan of over €250k and took a seat in Alpha Tauri alongside Pierre Gasly.
The story of 21-year-old Oscar Piastri was darkened by his involvement in Alpine F1 work. Stirring is the rest, but the bitter taste persists. While Piastri is ready to start alongside Lando Norris for McLaren.
Keep in mind, Norris’ previous teammate Daniel Ricciardo left the team in upset feelings and signed the contract with Red Bull as reserve driver. So it will be more interesting to watch how Norris and Piastri relate to each other in terms of Piastri showing a good pace.
There are no stories surrounding 22-year-old Logan Sargeant, who took the place alongside Alex Albon in Williams. Everything seems calm here.
However, it is hard to call Nico Hülkenberg a rookie driver, as we don’t have enough fingers to count all his roles before he returned to Formula 1. He was a reserve driver for Racing Point (Aston Martin), Mercedes, a pundit, presenter etc. Currently, Hulkunberg is happy to take on the role of his old rival, Kevin Magnusen, in Haas. That crew will be explosive.
2023 Bahrain Grand Prix schedule
The 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix is a race under night lights that takes place over 57 laps of the 5.412-kilometre Bahrain International Circuit. Unlike most circuits, Bahrain’s Sakhir venue has an undulating track layout that mixes fast straights with sharp corners, making the driving experience both challenging and exciting for those taking part in the race. This unique design also offers gorgeous views of the desert landscapes that surround it.
On Formula 1 official you can find information on how to watch the Grand Prix.
Climate That Could Make Races Even More Exciting
Finally, let us not forget another significant factor that comes into play. According to weather forecasts, temperatures during race days in Bahrain tend to get quite hot–averaging over 25C degrees. This heat could play an integral role in determining who wins or loses due to tyres wearing off faster than usual—and proving additional challenges for racers trying their wits to not only lap quicker but manage energy as well.
The 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix is also set to bring a few surprises. It is a common occurrence that despite the pre-season F1 testing results, conditions at the race are quite different. Whether it’s the weather or tension on the track. Be sure, drivers are already nervous, so with the excitement, who will be the fastest? Surely we will know soon.
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