F1 statistics:
BMW WilliamsF1 Team 87 starts, 10 wins, 16 poles
WilliamsF1 before 2000 361 starts, 103 wins, 108 poles
BMW before 2000 97 starts, 9 wins, 15 poles

History and background:

2005 will be only the second time Formula One has visited the desert state of Bahrain. The circuit lies within the city of Sakhir, located in the south of the country's capital, Manama. The Bahrain Grand Prix will be the third time a Formula One race has been staged in an Arab country. The first time was hosted in Morocco in 1958 and was won by Stirling Moss.

The state-of-the-art Bahrain International Circuit was designed by German architect, Hermann Tilke. It took 16 months to build at an estimated cost of US $150m. The circuit required 70,000 cubic metres of concrete and 8,500 tonnes of steel, as well as 82,000 tyres and 5,000 metres of FIA fencing. The complex can accommodate an impressive 45,000 spectators.

The complex boasts six circuit layouts. The longest is the Grand Prix circuit at 5.417 km. The track has 15 corners (six left-handers and nine right-handers) while the start/finish straight stretches to 1.090 metres.

Up until 1971, Bahrain was a British protectorate. After it gained its independence it became an Arab Emirate. The head of the kingdom is Emir, who rules through a cabinet. The state covers a total area of 665km2 across 36 islands off the Saudi Arabian coast. The capital, Manama, is located on the main island of Bahrain.

Oil has been exploited in Bahrain since 1932 but resources are now dwindling. The processing industry, as well as gas-rich fields and international banking, have assumed primary economic importance.

Bahrain has a dry, desert climate with very mild winters and hot summers with high humidity levels.

As in 2004, during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend, the season opener of Formula BMW Asia will take place. Late in 2005, the Bahrain International Circuit will host another of the BMW talent support programme's events. From 13th to 16th December, the first ever Formula BMW World Final will be staged in Bahrain. Over four days, young, talented drivers from the four championships (Asia, Germany, UK and USA) will fight to be declared the fastest Formula BMW driver in the world. The winner will be offered the chance to test drive one of the BMW WilliamsF1 Team's Formula One cars.

In January 2005, the BMW Performance Centre opened its doors at the Bahrain
International Circuit. The centre is home of the Formula BMW Racing School as well as BMW's Driver Training using road cars.