Bahrain Grand Prix 2022: Time, TV schedule and live stream

Ninety eight days after one of Formula 1’s most dramatic and controversial races, the 2022 season and a new era begins with the Bahrain Grand Prix.

F1 is back in the desert and after three days of testing last week, Max Verstappen starts the defence of the Drivers’ title he captured so contentiously at the expense of Lewis Hamilton in Abu Dhabi.

As a result, a different race director will be in charge, presiding over 20 brand new cars created to conform with heavily-revised regulations designed to make racing closer and more exciting.

Bahrain also sees a debut for rookie Guanyu Zhou in the Alfa Romeo, while there are returns to the grid after a year out for Alex Albon (Williams) and Kevin Magnussen (Haas).

Here is everything you need to know ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Practice 1: Friday March 18, 1500 local time (1200 UK time)

Practice 2: Friday March 18, 1800 local time (1500 UK time)

Practice 3: Saturday March 19, 1500 local time (1200 UK time)

Qualifying: Saturday March 19, 1800 local time (1500 UK time)

Race: Sunday March 20, 1800 local time (1500 UK time)

The Bahrain International Circuit has played host to the Bahrain Grand Prix since the inaugural race there in 2004.

Based in Sakhir, the ‘Grand Prix Circuit’ covers a distance of 5.412km, features 15 turns and staged the first Formula 1 race to be held in the Middle East.

Initially, the Bahrain Grand Prix was held during daylight hours but from 2014, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the first staging, it became a night race.

Michael Schumacher, the seven-time former World Champion, had the honour of winning the first Bahrain Grand Prix for Ferrari in 2004, while Fernando Alonso was the first repeat winner of the race, in 2005 and again the following