Formula One is heading to Bahrain for a double header of race weekends prior to the end of the season.
Both races at the Bahrain International Circuit are the prelude to the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
The track usually occupies its place in the calendar as the second race in a season following Australia, but after a season heavily impacted by COVID-19, it was moved to the back of the campaign.
2020 has been a hectic season for Formula One, with 12 races cancelled throughout the year, with races in Mugello, Imola, Nurburgring. Portimao and Istanbul stepping in to fill out the season.
Bahrain is one of three races this season to host double headers, following the season starter at the Red Bull Ring, and Silverstone.
Lewis Hamilton wrapped up his seventh F1 title in the Turkish Grand Prix, matching Michael Schumacher’s World Championship record, with Mercedes having already confirmed their record seventh consecutive constructors title following the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
However, the Driver standings still has further twists and turns to take, with the midfield battle still hotly contested by the likes of Perez, Leclerc and Ricciardo fighting for fourth, separated by only four points.
Meanwhile Sebastian Vettel will hope to maintain his return to form, with his podium alongside Hamilton and Perez , with the German clearly happy with the surprise result following the precedings.
“Obviously it was very intense in the last lap and yeah, a bit of a surprise to snatch the podium in the end but certainly very happy. It was a really enjoyable race in very tricky conditions.”
His P3 finish was his first podium position of this season, with his podium-less streak going back to the Mexican GP in 2019.
Meanwhile, Lando Norris is currently the second highest placed Brit on the Grid, with the 21 year old currently occupying eighth in the standings, one point behind his team mate and future Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz.
George Russell meanwhile will be aiming for a better result than in Istanbul, with the 22 year old finish 16th on the grid.
This is both drivers second year of driving in Formula One at the circuit, with Norris finishing strongly in 2019, placing sixth, meanwhile Russell placed 15th.
FP1 starts on Friday at 11:00am GMT, with qualifying on Saturday at 3pm, before the race starts on Sunday at 2:10pm.
