2009 Bahrain Grand Prix

Championship standings

Button leads by 6 points from teammate Barrichello after the Chinese win. Barrichello leads Red Bull’s Vettel by 5 points. Brawn lead the Constructors’ Championship by 16.5 points from Red Bull, with Toyota a further point back.

Previous race

In China, Vettel led a Red Bull 1–2 ahead of Button and Barrichello, giving Red Bull their first-ever Formula One win. The race started behind the safety car for eight laps due to heavy rain. Hamilton spun on lap 12 while making progress through the field. A second safety car period followed a collision between Kubica and Trulli. Massa suffered an electrical failure during the safety car period and retired.

Entrants

Force India introduces a revised floor and diffuser for the VJM02, along with an upgraded front wing and reprofiled sidepods. BMW Sauber installs KERS in Kubica’s car for the full race weekend after the Chinese practice test.

Ferrari have yet to score a point. Failure to score in Bahrain would equal their worst-ever start to a season: in 1980 they did not score until the fourth race, the United States Grand Prix West.

Tyre choices

Bridgestone brings the medium and supersoft compounds for the weekend.

Practice

Hamilton set the fastest time in FP1, ahead of the two BMW Saubers of Heidfeld and Kubica. Rosberg topped FP2, followed by Alonso and Trulli. In FP3, Glock was fastest before his car rolled to a halt with brake problems. Massa was second quickest, with Räikkönen fifth.