[SciFiRory]

Laps: 57
Circuit length: 5.412 km (3.363 mi)
Race length: 308.405 km (191.634 mi)
Number of times held: 7
First held: 2004
Most wins (drivers): Fernando Alonso (3)
Most wins (constructors): Ferrari (4)

Last race (2010):
Pole position: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull-Renault) 1:54.101
Podium:
1. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) 1h 39m 20.396s (186.272 km/h)
2. Felipe Massa (Ferrari) +16.099s
3. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) +23.182s
Fastest lap: Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) 1:58.287

2012 Drivers Standings:

1. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) 45pts
2. Jenson Button (McLaren-Mercedes) 43pts
3. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) 37pts
4. Mark Webber (Red Bull) 36pts
5. Sebastien Vettel (Red Bull) 28pts

2012 Constructors Standings:

1. McLaren-Mercedes 88pts
2. Red Bull-Renault 64pts
3. Ferrari 37pts

with the race being overshadowed somewhat by the contreversey over the decision to give it the green light by the FIA despite ongoing unrest and security concerns in the country, it will be interesting to see how the race unfolds, Mercedes and Rosberg looked ominous in China but can they maintain that here? can Hamilton improve on his three consecutive 3rd place finishes? can Button get his first ever pole for McLaren? or will Lotus or Red Bull spring a surprise?

[f1mad]

Expecting a Merc front-row lockout.

[mikeyd85]

(Original post by f1mad)
Expecting a Merc front-row lockout.

Yup.

I enjoy racing the squiggly bit that would have gone from turn 4 to turn 5.

[JuKaMy]

Will be interesting to see which cars perform best in the heat.
I have a feeling Hamilton will manage third.

[gbduo]

They shouldn't be there, its boring normally anyway! But yeh, I think Mercedes will be on form again and I have a nagging feeling this is the one for Schumacher...

[jelly1000]

Personally I think Mclaren will probally fare better than the Mercs as it will be hotter but I think they wont be far behind.

[RedDevilThing]

I'm thinking we could see another Mercedes pole, but I don't think it will translate into a race win this time round, but I wouldn't be surprised to see at least one of them on the podium. Also Lotus may be a team to watch out for, if they can get their strategy sorted they'll be up there, maybe even a podium. Expect McLaren to the be overall top team and Red Bull to be about as competitive as we've seen them so far.

Also, does anyone have any idea how many and where the DRS zones will be?

[DScofield]

Think McLaren might win it but Mercedes on pole. Lets see.

[Idris Dragon]

Not expecting an exciting race; anyone remember which tyres Pirelli are taking (I would guess Hard and Medium like Malaysia and can't be bothered to look it up)? Don't really think they'll be needing the wets...

Lets hope nothing like this happens: http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/23608.html

[MrLuketastic]

Red Bull and McLaren to fight this weekend I think, but no way it should go ahead. My article (here: http://richlandf1.com/?p=845) has garnered great support from those in Bahrain against the race, and I was even featured in the Bahrain Mirror for it! It's just wrong to go there. If it goes by without hitch, it'll be a matter of "the FIA got away with it" instead of "Bernie is right"

Don't get me wrong, I want as much racing as possible, but it's too risky for my liking...

Regardless, I think Lewis will finally get his first win of the season in Bahrain

[Rakas21]

Should be an interesting race with double DRS and KERS on a track with long straights.

I expect Rosberg and Hamilton fighting for pole but in the race it looks to me like the top 4 teams are pretty close so Schumi, Button, Kimi or Vettel could win in my opinion (leaning towards Button).

Sauber could be dark horses, fastest lap in China but doubt they will be in the mix.

[f1mad]

Brawn said Merc will be bringing some upgrades to Bahrain.

Should be interesting.

[F1 fanatic]

I think it's going to be one of those seasons where the form book doesn't have much bearing on things. In the first 3 races we've had three entirely different results (Mclaren domination, surprise ferrari win and Mercedes domination). If it's hotter that'll probably work against Mercedes, but I would certainly expect them to be up there and fighting for the win with Mclaren and Red Bull.

[Idris Dragon]

(Original post by F1 fanatic)
I think it's going to be one of those seasons where the form book doesn't have much bearing on things. In the first 3 races we've had three entirely different results (Mclaren domination, surprise ferrari win and Mercedes domination). If it's hotter that'll probably work against Mercedes, but I would certainly expect them to be up there and fighting for the win with Mclaren and Red Bull.

Hot = thinner air = less effective DRS & thus Mercedes don't benefit all that much...

[Marc Fiorano]

This is worth a watch, the 6 world champions together at a chinese TV show.

The interviews themselves are irrelevant (and hard to hear anyway with the chinese translation) but the humour of it all makes for a good viewing.

Because of the chinese they're all completely puzzled, Vettel and Kimi having a chuckle at 0:30 because they don't know what's going on.

Then in Fernando's interview he's trying his hardest not to burst out laughing.

At 2:50 you see Vettel and Kimi playing a little game of some sort, I think Vettel dares him to get off his seat when the camera is on them or something lol....messing around like kids.

[F1 fanatic]

(Original post by Idris Dragon)
Hot = thinner air = less effective DRS & thus Mercedes don't benefit all that much...

That and the tyre issue. Your point is valid, but on the other hand DRS is only beneficial if you're not leading or in qualifying. Mercedes clearly have pace over and above their DRS. The Mercedes has historically generated a bit too much heat in its tyres, although it remains to be seen whether this has now been resolved. They weren't as quick relatively speaking in Malaysia, but they may have improved things in the 3 weeks between Malaysia and China.

[f1mad]

(Original post by F1 fanatic)
That and the tyre issue.

That whole thing is blown WAY out of proportion.

The problem is the Merc does not perform well when the temperatures do not stay constant (i.e over a GP weekend transferring from Quali to Race).

Bahrain's temps will be constant thus Merc won't have as much as a problem with the tyres as many people think.

All will be revealed.

[f1mad]

(Original post by Marc Fiorano)
This is worth a watch, the 6 world champions together at a chinese TV show.

The interviews themselves are irrelevant (and hard to hear anyway with the chinese translation) but the humour of it all makes for a good viewing.

Because of the chinese they're all completely puzzled, Vettel and Kimi having a chuckle at 0:30 because they don't know what's going on.

Then in Fernando's interview he's trying his hardest not to burst out laughing.

At 2:50 you see Vettel and Kimi playing a little game of some sort, I think Vettel dares him to get off his seat when the camera is on them or something lol....messing around like kids.

Lol I saw this on Sunday but didn't bother posting it .

Indeed, especially when Schumacher pushes Hamiltons chair down .

[The_master616]

Difficult to predict. Usually I'd say a Mclaren pole and win but I'm not so sure this time.

[Marc Fiorano]

(Original post by f1mad)
Lol I saw this on Sunday but didn't bother posting it .

Indeed, especially when Schumacher pushes Hamiltons chair down .

Haha expected you to have seen it

I missed that part...what time is it at?