Bahrain

The 2004 Bahrain Grand Prix marked the first ever round of the FIA Formula One World Championship to be held in the Middle East. Located in Sakhir, 30 kilometres south-west of the island's capital, Manama, the Bahrain International Circuit was designed by Hermann Tilke and contains five track layouts within one complex.

Construction began in November 2002, with over 12,000 tonnes of stone used in the build: a third of it Welsh granite, chosen for the track surface due to its excellent adhesive qualities. The 5.412 kilometre Grand Prix circuit layout provides a unique driving experience in that the track width varies at the end of the different straights, allowing for diverse racing lines.

A revised 'endurance' track layout was used for the 2010 event, with an additional complex starting at Turn Four extending the lap to 23 corners and 6.299 kilometres. However, the original layout has been preferred in each of the nine remaining races held at the venue. 2010 also represented one of two years in which Bahrain has hosted the opening Grand Prix of the season, the other being 2006.