Organisers of the Bahrain grand prix would like the event to return to the top of F1's annual schedule. The Sakhir circuit opened the sport's world championship in 2006 and again in 2010, and was scheduled to be the season opener in 2011 until that event was cancelled due to civil unrest.
Still controversial, Bahrain is back on the calendar and now pushing to return to the coveted opening spot, which is currently occupied by Melbourne. "It's a good start to the season," circuit chairman Zeyed Alzayani told reporters on Saturday. "It gives us the chance to have the teams here longer, there is more anticipation, more unknowns, how the cars will react to the new tyres, the regulations, the drivers are just back into their rhythm. We are talking about 2014 onwards but it's a bit early to talk about the calendar for 2014," he added. "We're open to suggestion."
F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, who on Saturday issued a joint statement with the FIA backing the decision to race in Bahrain this weekend amid controversy, admitted a change of scheduling for the race in future is possible. "We could do, I suppose," the 82-year-old told Reuters. "We need to have a look at it."
Alzayani said one advantage of Bahrain being the first race is that teams could conduct pre-season testing at the circuit, in almost guaranteed dry weather, before returning for the start of the world championship shortly after. "They can come to the last test and then leave most of their equipment here until race weekend," he said. "This was the plan in 2011. So if we go after the first race, then we will go after a test as well but again that is not our decision."
Bahrain wants to host season opener and test in 2014
- Published on 19 Apr 2013 16:21
-
0
- By: Rob Veenstra
.
Trending news
-
What went wrong with Antonelli's car at Zandvoort?Mercedes have opened an investigation into the unexplained performance drop that cost Andrea Kimi Antonelli victory a...
27 Aug 2026 11:11 -
Why Coulthard thinks Lawson proved his doubters wrong at ZandvoortLiam Lawson has earned high praise from former Red Bull driver David Coulthard after filling in for the senior team a...
27 Aug 2026 15:18 -
Antonelli reveals emotional moment racing childhood hero VerstappenAndrea Kimi Antonelli has admitted he fought back tears the first time he raced wheel-to-wheel against Max Verstappen...
27 Aug 2026 14:16 -
Why McLaren's Stella doesn't believe Mercedes money excuseAndrea Stella expects Mercedes to accelerate its development programme imminently, despite Toto Wolff's insistenc...
27 Aug 2026 13:15 -
Why Red Bull keeps turning to Lawson during Hadjar's recoveryLiam Lawson has been handed additional track time by Red Bull Racing, completing a day of Pirelli tyre testing at Mug...
27 Aug 2026 12:13
Dutch Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Dutch Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
-
Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
-
-
-
Jan 27
M. Verstappen
- 1:19.578
-
-
-
Jan 28
A. Antonelli
- 1:17.362
-
-
-
Jan 29
G. Russell
- 1:16.445
-
-
-
Jan 30
L. Hamilton
- 1:16.348
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
-
-
-
Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
-
-
-
Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
-
-
Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
-
-
Feb 20
C. Leclerc
- 1:31.992
-
-
World Championship standings 2026
Pos
Driver
Team
Points
Pos
Team
Points
Related news
Give your opinion!
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
Austria
Red Bull Ring
3 - Jul 5
United Kingdom
Silverstone
17 - Jul 19
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
24 - Jul 26
Hungary
Hungaroring
21 - Aug 23
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Replies (0)
Login to reply