Ahead of the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix, we examine the history, list of champions, best performers, race track, & controversies related to this race along with the GP winners list
Since the first Bahrain Grand Prix in 2004 there have been eight different winners, with Charles Leclerc of Ferrari adding his name to the list last season. The Formula One season’s 19th Grand Prix will take place in Bahrain in 2023.
Bahrain GP F1 past winners full list, history, records and most wins
Takin' C̶a̶r̶e̶ Leclerc of Business ⚡️😎#F1 @F1LasVegas @Charles_Leclerc pic.twitter.com/Tdzex7xo8o
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 1, 2023
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix history, winners, record holders, & best performers
With the exception of 2011, when the Bahraini uprising occurred, the Bahrain Grand Prix has been hosted during each Formula One season since 2004. Michael Schumacher, racing for Ferrari, claimed victory in the first Bahrain Grand Prix. Fernando Alonso, driving for Renault, won the next two races, in 2005 & 2006, while Felipe Massa, driving for Ferrari, won the 2007 & 2008 races. Driving for Brawn GP, Jenson Button won the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2009, and Fernando Alonso won his third Bahrain Grand Prix in 2010 while racing for Ferrari.
After the Bahrain Grand Prix was postponed in 2011, Sebastian Vettel from Red Bull triumphed in 2012 & 2013, followed by Lewis Hamilton in 2014 & 2015. In 2016, Sebastian Vettel’s teammate Nico Rosberg won, while in 2017 & 2018, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel claimed two additional victories.
The following three Grands Prix, in 2019, 2020, & 2021, were won by Lewis Hamilton, who went on to set the record for the most Bahrain Grand Prix victories with five. Charles Leclerc triumphed in the most recent race, which was contested in 2022, securing Scuderia Ferrari a record-tying seventh Bahrain Grand Prix victory.
When it comes to constructors, Italian Ferrari have claimed the most titles in Bahrain.
| Year | Driver | Constructor | Configuration |
| 2004 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | Grand Prix Circuit |
| 2005 | Fernando Alonso | Renault | |
| 2006 | Fernando Alonso | Renault | |
| 2007 | Felipe Massa | Ferrari | |
| 2008 | Felipe Massa | Ferrari | |
| 2009 | Jenson Button | Brawn-Mercedes | |
| 2010 | Fernando Alonso | Ferrari | Endurance Circuit |
| 2012 | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull-Renault | Grand Prix Circuit |
| 2013 | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull-Renault | |
| 2014 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | |
| 2015 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | |
| 2016 | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes | |
| 2017 | Sebastian Vettel | Ferrari | |
| 2018 | Sebastian Vettel | Ferrari | |
| 2019 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | |
| 2020 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | |
| 2021 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | |
| 2022 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
Controversies and memorable incidents at Bahrain Grand Prix
After the massive protests in 2011 & 2012 captured the attention of the world’s media, human rights organizations have continued to record Bahraini F1 protest-related violations and incarcerations.
The groups charge that F1 gave Bahrain’s regime significant public relations support and ran the risk of normalizing the country’s human rights issues even more. On the racetrack, the most infamous incident occurred in 2020 when Romain Grosjean of Haas somehow survived one of the worst collisions in modern sport history.
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