The Bahrain Grand Prix marked a major milestone for Formula One when it joined the calendar in 2004. Staged at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, it became the first World Championship race held in the Middle East and immediately set new organisational standards, earning praise from the FIA.
Since its debut, Bahrain has hosted season openers, title-defining battles, and, since 2014, dramatic night races under floodlights. The desert venue has become one of the most reliable early-season tests of performance, with abrasive asphalt and heavy braking zones exposing both tyre management and outright pace.
What To Know?
- Middle East Pioneer: The Bahrain Grand Prix became the first Formula One race held in the Middle East when it debuted in 2004 at the Bahrain International Circuit, setting the stage for the sport’s regional expansion.
- Night Race Milestone: Since 2014, the Bahrain Grand Prix has been held under floodlights, becoming Formula One’s second-ever night race after the Singapore Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton won that first night edition.
- Multiple Season Openers: Bahrain has opened the championship in 2006, 2010 and 2021, highlighting its flexibility on the calendar during scheduling reshuffles and global disruptions.
- Modern Era Dominance: Max Verstappen secured back-to-back wins in 2023 and 2024, delivering some of the most commanding victory margins in the event’s recent history.
List of Every Bahrain Grand Prix Winner
Bahrain Grand Prix Winner: 2004 to 2008
The inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix in 2004 was won by Michael Schumacher, who delivered a dominant performance for Ferrari during his final championship-winning season.
In 2005 and 2006, Fernando Alonso claimed back-to-back victories for Renault. His 2006 win was particularly significant as Bahrain hosted the season opener that year, replacing Australia at the front of the calendar.
Ferrari returned to the top step in 2007 and 2008 through Felipe Massa, who mastered the Sakhir layout with consecutive victories. By the end of its first five editions, Bahrain had already seen multiple teams share success.
Bahrain Grand Prix Winners: 2009 to 2013
The 2009 race was won by Jenson Button, continuing Brawn GP’s remarkable championship charge.
In 2010, Bahrain again opened the season and used a longer endurance layout to mark Formula One’s 60th anniversary. Alonso returned to victory, this time driving for Ferrari.
The 2011 event was cancelled amid political unrest in the country, making it one of the few races in modern F1 history not to take place after being scheduled.
When racing resumed in 2012, Sebastian Vettel secured victory for Red Bull. He repeated the feat in 2013, underlining Red Bull’s dominance during that era.
Bahrain Grand Prix Winners: 2014 to 2018
In 2014, Bahrain transformed into a night race to celebrate its tenth anniversary. The floodlit spectacle produced an intense wheel-to-wheel battle between the Mercedes drivers, with Lewis Hamilton emerging victorious. The event has remained a night race ever since.
Hamilton won again in 2015, before Nico Rosberg took victory in 2016 during his championship-winning campaign.
Ferrari broke Mercedes’ streak in 2017 and 2018 with Vettel, including a finely judged tyre-management drive in 2018 that secured one of his most tactical wins.
Bahrain Grand Prix Winners: 2019 to 2022
Hamilton added further Bahrain victories in 2019, 2020 and 2021, making him the most successful driver at the circuit. The 2020 race, held amid a reshaped pandemic calendar, stretched close to the time limit after multiple incidents.
In 2021, Bahrain once again opened the championship, delivering a tense duel between Hamilton and Verstappen.
The ground-effect era began in 2022, with Charles Leclerc taking a commanding win for Ferrari, signalling renewed competitiveness from Maranello.
Bahrain Grand Prix Winners: 2023 to Today
The 2023 and 2024 editions were both won by Max Verstappen, whose commanding margins reflected Red Bull’s technical advantage in the early seasons of the new regulations.
See also…
In 2025, Oscar Piastri claimed victory for McLaren, adding another new name to Bahrain’s winners list.
A Modern Formula One Staple
From Schumacher’s early dominance to night race duels under the desert sky, the Bahrain Grand Prix has become a cornerstone of the modern Formula One calendar.
Its abrasive surface, heavy traction zones and strategic complexity make it one of the clearest early indicators of competitive order each season. Whether opening the championship or setting the tone for the months ahead, Bahrain has delivered racing that often shapes the year’s story.
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