Bahrain uses the same three compounds selected for China: the first back to back races of the season. Sakhir is a circuit that above all tests traction, and it’s also the first night race of the year, starting and finishing in the evening under the floodlights. As a result, the pattern of tyre behaviour and track evolution isn’t exactly the same as it would be during a conventional afternoon race. Last year, the winning strategy was a three-stopper, with the same three compounds nominated as this year.

THE CIRCUIT FROM A TYRE POINT OF VIEW
- Pirelli knows Sakhir well, as a favoured year-round test venue for different series.
- Tactics can be varied: there were nine different strategies in the top 10 last year.
- Surface is granite but not very abrasive: thermal degradation is a bigger factor.
- Falling track temperatures in each session mean that the surface tends to get faster.
- Rear-limited, due to traction demands.
- One of three night races scheduled for this year, along with Singapore and Abu Dhabi.

“MARIO ISOLA - HEAD OF CAR RACING
““The biggest gains at Sakhir are all to be found in traction: it is quite a stop-start circuit, so getting the power down properly and keeping the rear tyres in good condition is very important. Last year we found quite a high degree of wear and degradation, so it will be interesting to see how this has changed with the introduction of our 2017-specification tyres. The second free practice session will be particularly important, as it is the only one held in representative conditions of qualifying and the race.”

WHAT’S NEW?
- For the first five races the teams all have seven sets of the softest compound available, four sets of the middle compound, and two of the hardest compound.
- Bahrain is also the first round of this year’s inaugural FIA Formula 2 Championship, which is the new name for the GP2 Series: supplied by Pirelli.