This is what you need to know about the Bahrain Grand Prix

Who is the favorite to win the opening game? It wouldn't be a surprise to see Max Verstappen at the top of the podium. The world champion of the past two years made an excellent impression in the tests with Red Bull. “We're starting the weekend in a good position,” said the superstar, whose car immediately seemed sophisticated and reliable in contrast to previous years. Last year's winner Charles Leclerc would be only too happy to use a success in the desert to boost his own title dreams with Ferrari. Mercedes around Bahrain record winner Lewis Hamilton is cautious. You could work with the W14, said team boss Toto Wolff reservedly. However, the racing team is confident “that we are in a stronger position than twelve months ago”.

What can we expect from Nico Hülkenberg and Haas? After three years, Nico Hülkenberg has a regular Formula 1 cockpit again. The US team Haas replaced Mick Schumacher. The German is known for being able to adapt quickly and perform consistently. “I've settled in well, the team has welcomed me well, things are already going well,” said the 35-year-old, who was most recently a reserve driver at Aston Martin. “I’m more of a racing driver than a test driver, so I’m happy when it comes down to it.” He’s “ready for attack mode.” Haas is currently in the lower midfield in terms of performance, so Hülkenberg will have a difficult restart. The only German with a regular Formula 1 cockpit is very familiar with complicated situations.

Will the South Tyrolean Günther Steiner be able to celebrate with Haas. © APA/afp / GIUSEPPE CACACE

What sets the route apart? The Aachen Formula 1 builder Hermann Tilke embedded the varied course in the stone desert of Sakhir. In the area of a former camel farm there are long straights and the full throttle ratio is high. On the nine right-hand and six left-hand bends on each lap, the drivers have to brake hard again and again, which puts considerable strain on the tires. The race is held under floodlights, with more than 1100 palm trees lining the course. All of this guarantees spectacular images. The wind can be a challenge for the riders, but the sand can hardly be. The surrounding desert is sprayed with an adhesive substance to prevent too much sand from blowing onto the track.

A Mercedes in the desert. © ANSA / ALI HAIDER

Which Bahrain race will you remember? A desert Grand Prix that no one can easily forget is the one from 2020. At that time, shortly after the start, former Haas driver Romain Grosjean crashed into the guardrails. His car broke in two, the gasoline ignited and the car burst into flames. Only after almost 30 unimaginably long seconds did the Frenchman emerge from the inferno. It was like a miracle: Grosjean only sprained his ankle and suffered burns on his hands. “I saw death coming,” he later recalled. The charred monocoque will also be available to the public at an exhibition in Madrid from the end of March.

How hot are the old irons? Fernando Alonso (41) sees no signs of wear and tear even before his 20th Formula 1 season. “I have no concerns about age yet. I will be the first to feel it if I lose something, if I miss something while driving or am not motivated to travel or get up in the morning and train," said the two-time Formula 1 world champion before the season opener on Sunday (16.00 p.m. CET) in Bahrain.

At 41 years old, Alonso is the oldest driver in the field and he also has the most Grand Prix appearances with 355. “There are no secrets. You dedicate your life to your passion. You know your body better, so you train better, eat better. “That’s how you can extend your career,” said Alonso, who had already left Formula 1 at some point. When asked how many years he would give himself to win a third World Cup, Alonso replied with a smile: “I don’t know. Eight? Ten?"

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This is what you need to know about the Bahrain Grand Prix

Who can stop Max Verstappen? The Formula 1 superstar is aiming for a World Cup hat trick. The start in Bahrain is the first indicator of an XXL season.

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