After the lengthy winter break, the System 1 World Championship returns this weekend with the Bahrain Grand Prix on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit.

The 2024 season would not carry a lot in the way in which of recent automotive designs or new drivers, however followers can stay up for a file 24 races. Three of these races might be held within the U.S. alone, similar to final yr.

The Bahrain Worldwide Circuit is a everlasting fixture on the F1 calendar and for the previous three seasons has hosted the opening spherical. It’s situated on a former camel farm within the desert space of Sakhir, and to reduce sand blowing onto the observe, the encompassing desert space is sprayed with a sticky adhesive substance.

The three.36-mile observe is among the most abrasive on the calendar. It consists of 15 corners delivering a mixture of low, medium, and excessive speeds, plus three lengthy straights, two of them designated as DRS zones. Flip 1 is normally the very best overtaking alternative, the place the automobiles brake exhausting from over 186 mph earlier than diving into a decent right-hand flip, then switching to the left-hand aspect of the observe for a piece of corners. Flip four is one other passing level, earlier than the tighter second and third sectors, with the following DRS straight main into Flip 11.

Bahrain Worldwide Circuit, house of the System 1 Bahrain Grand Prix

Engine efficiency, traction out of the corners, and stability underneath braking make up the technical challenges right here. As well as, as a result of abrasiveness of the observe, tire degradation additionally performs a vital function. Pirelli has nominated its hardest tire compounds for the race: C1 because the white exhausting, C2 because the yellow medium, and C3 because the purple gentle.

Climate situations seem like gentle, with the height temperature anticipated to hover round 72 levels for the race, which can happen on Saturday as an alternative of the standard Sunday. That is to keep up a one-week hole earlier than the following race on the calendar, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which can also be being run on a Saturday to keep away from a conflict with the beginning of Ramadan.

Following three days of testing final week, which additionally happened on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit, the consensus is that reigning champion Pink Bull Racing remains to be very a lot the crew to beat. Mercedes-Benz AMG has additionally proven spectacular tempo and can probably be the crew that provides the best competitors for Pink Bull.

All eyes might be on Pink Bull’s Max Verstappen, who received in Bahrain final yr and is chasing his fourth straight title. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton additionally returns for an try at a file eighth title, and his final season at Mercedes. He is already confirmed a swap to Ferrari in 2025.