Sakhir Grand Prix: Presentation and Predictions from the Editorial Team

For the penultimate round of an F1 calendar shaken up by the coronavirus crisis, the protagonists of the Formula 1 grid remain in the Bahraini desert to discover a brand-new layout, the “Outer-track” of the Sakhir circuit.

New layout: The flying lap record is expected to fall!

For this first-ever Sakhir Grand Prix, the drivers will use the outer version of the classic circuit.

3.543 kilometers long, the track consists of 11 turns and incorporates part of the circuit we are used to seeing.

The first part consisting of the main straight does not change, as well as the sequence of the first three corners and the second DRS straight leading to turn 4.

At this point, instead of taking the descending part of the circuit, the single-seaters will take a slight left as turn 5 before a right curve in a slight descent.

This is followed by a tighter left turn and a long descent, taking up the final straight of the circuit as well as the last two corners that connect the start/finish line.

The overtaking zones will be numerous: Turns 1 and 4, as in the traditional Bahrain Grand Prix, but also the long DRS straight between turns 9 and 10.

This Sakhir Grand Prix is expected to break speed records, with the forecasted fast lap being around 58 seconds.

For this track, Pirelli also opts for its mid-range, bringing C2 (Hards), C3 (Mediums), and C4 (Softs) compounds.

Same tyre choice, but different challenges. Are you ready for the #SakhirGP? #Fit4F1 #F1
Learn more: https://t.co/ztjRg6fMj4 pic.twitter.com/MtL42UVayv

— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) December 1, 2020

Big absentees and little newcomers… A Grand Prix like no other!

The news of the week has been extremely busy before this weekend’s Grand Prix! While the confirmation of the Mazepin/Schumacher duo at Haas has finally been announced, it is the other news that has caught our attention.

Miraculously surviving his horrible crash in the last race, Romain Grosjean was already out for this weekend’s Grand Prix. To make up for his absence, the American team Haas decided to call upon Pietro Fittipaldi.

The grandson of the double Brazilian World Champion will therefore make his F1 debut, but he will not be the only one!

Indeed, at the beginning of the week we learned that Lewis Hamilton had tested positive for Covid-19, ruling him out of this Grand Prix.

If the Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne was anticipated, the star firm decided to promote George Russell alongside Valtteri Bottas for this Grand Prix. A golden opportunity for the one who is said to be the future of Mercedes!

As a result, Williams also had to find a replacement for their regular driver, and it was the Briton Jack Aitken who took the seat. The Campos Formula 2 driver will also be competing in his first Formula 1 Grand Prix of his career.

You have to go back to the 2001 Monza Grand Prix to find two drivers making their race debut in a season, with Thomas Enge at Prost GP and Alex Yoong at Minardi.

This 2020 season is definitely very unusual!

Are you sitting comfortably?

???? @HaasF1Team & @MercedesAMGF1 #F1 pic.twitter.com/cqSzmJ2eh8

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 3, 2020

The editorial team’s predictions

In the absence of Lewis Hamilton, Bottas and Verstappen are the main favorites of our editorial team. The replacement for the British World Champion, George Russell, will be the attraction of the Grand Prix and also holds a good rating on our side! Also noteworthy in our predictions are the potential podiums for Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez.

And you?

Who are your favorites for the Sakhir Grand Prix?

Find here all the times and the TV schedule for this Grand Prix, which will start at 18:10.