Talking Points ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix
Thursday, 2 March 2023
The 2023 F1® season finally gets underway under lights in Bahrain this weekend – here's all you need to know.
It's the time Formula 1® fans across the globe have been waiting for - race week.
F1® is back for Round 1 of the FIA Formula 1® 2023 season, with Red Bull being firm favourites in the constructors' and Max Verstappen looking like the driver to stop during the season.
A first win isn't everything
A victorious start to an F1® season is nice, but typically isn't a sign of things to come. F1® has started its seasons in Australia (seven times), Bahrain (twice) and Austria (once) in the past decade – and the winner of the first race has only converted that into a world championship twice (Lewis Hamilton in 2015, Nico Rosberg in 2016). The lesson: don't get too high or too low if your favourite driver flies or flames out in Bahrain …
Rookies get their F1® feet wet
McLaren's Oscar Piastri will get most of the Australian attention in Bahrain for obvious reasons, but there's two other rookies starting their maiden F1® campaigns, too. Logan Sargeant (Williams) becomes the first full-time American since Scott Speed 16 years ago this weekend, while Dutchman Nyck De Vries begins his first full-time campaign – he scored points in a one-off race for Williams at last year's Italian Grand Prix – for AlphaTauri. A points finish will represent a successful start for all three rookies, particularly for Piastri after McLaren endured a difficult pre-season test at Sakhir.
Familiar faces in new places
As well as three rookies in three different teams, a trio of other drivers will make their racing debuts with their new squads in Bahrain. AlphaTauri race-winner Pierre Gasly begins with Alpine, Nico Hulkenberg steps out at Haas, his sixth F1® team, while two-time world champion Fernando Alonso starts with Aston Martin – 22 years after his F1® debut for Minardi at the 2001 Australian Grand Prix. All three raced in Bahrain last year, with Hulkenberg deputising at Aston Martin for compatriot Sebastian Vettel (sidelined with covid).
| Bahrain fast facts | |
|---|---|
| Circuit name/location: | Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir |
| Length/laps: | 5.412km, 57 laps |
| Grands Prix held/debut: | 19, 2004 |
| Most successful driver: | Lewis Hamilton (five wins) |
| Most successful team: | Ferrari (seven wins) |
| 2022 podium | 1st: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 2nd: Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), 3rd: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) |
The Formula 1® Bahrain Grand Prix will be available to watch on Foxtel/Kayo live with a highlights package on Channel 10 on Monday night. See our What time does the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix start in Australia article for timings.
