The Bahrain International Circuit opened in 2004 and was the first Grand Prix circuit in the Middle East. It is built in the desert near Sakhir, and the contrast of the gleaming track and pit buildings against the sandy landscape makes it look unlike any other circuit in the world.
Formula 1 cars are engineering marvels. They can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in under 2.5 seconds — faster than almost anything else on wheels. They are built almost entirely from lightweight carbon fibre, and the teams of engineers who design and maintain them number in the hundreds. Every detail, from the shape of the nose cone to the tread on the tyres, affects how fast the car goes.
What makes Bahrain's race particularly special is that it is often run in the evening and finishes after dark, with the floodlights turning the circuit into a glowing ribbon of light in the desert. The warm air, the smell of racing fuel and the sound of engines at full speed make it a very dramatic event.
Thousands of fans from around the world travel to Bahrain for the Grand Prix, and millions more watch it on television. The race also brings attention to Bahrain's culture, food and hospitality — many visitors discover Bahrain's souqs, forts and coastline for the first time because of the race.