Bahrain International Circuit
The circuit, designed by Hermann Tilke, has several noteworthy features. The run off areas are huge, and the sand around the perimeter is sprayed with adhesive to stop it from blowing onto the track. The surface of the track is made from aggregate imported from Shropshire which has good grip levels and is also used at Yas Marina.
Unusually, most of the circuit is below sea level, with the high point of the track being less than a metre above it.
The track layout is distinctive, and varied without actually being in any way inspiring. The long straights look like they were drawn with a ruler, and all of them end in tight corners (the current recipe for creating overtaking opportunities). In between is a bit of a pick and mix, a bit of this and a bit of that. Having said that, those parts of the the layout, the infield, are probably the most intersting. But it still has the feel of a drawing board exercise, plonked down into a flat landscape.
Winners
With only a short history to speak of, the list of past winners is fairly short, so I can post the complete list here.
Ferrari have the best team record in Bahrain, with six wins. Mercedes have three, and Red Bull have two, as do Renault.
Sebastian Vettel is the most succesful driver in Bahrain with four wins. Fernando Alonso has three.
Unusually, perhaps even uniquely, the lap record at the Bahrain International Circuit is held by Pedro de la Rosa!
Crowds
Bahrain is often the least well attended Grand Prix, with just 32,000 fans turning up to watch the 2015 race.
