Bahrain F1 Grand Prix 2018: Start Time, Drivers, TV Schedule and More
Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes will be out to make amends at the second stop on the 2018 Formula One calendar in Bahrain, but the driver has a five-place grid penalty to overcome.
Hamilton was in total control of the season-opening Australian grand prix a fortnight ago before a loss of time under the virtual safety car allowed Sebastian Vettel to snatch the win for Ferrari. And his frustration continued on Friday when it was confirmed he would face a sanction for a gearbox change.
In the season's first night race, another absorbing battle appears to be on the cards between these two longstanding rivals, as they each chase a fifth world championship title.
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Here are all the viewing details you need for one of the most entertaining races of the year and a preview of what to expect from the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir.
Date: Sunday, April 8
Time: 4:10 p.m. (BST) 11:10 a.m. (ET)
TV Info: Sky Sports F1 (UK), ESPN2 (U.S.)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), ESPN Player (U.S.)
For the full list of drivers, visit the F1 website.
Hamilton Out to Make Amends
For defending champion Hamilton, things were going so well in Australia, having produced a brilliant lap in qualifying to start on pole before getting a firmer grip on the race after a strong start.
His chances of victory were eventually undone when Romain Grosjean's crash prompted a virtual safety car and Ferrari brought Vettel in to pit. Hamilton had come in before the race was neutralised temporarily and lost time as a result.
Despite his best efforts to chase the German down, it was Ferrari on the top step of the podium for the second successive year.
Formula One writer Gianluca D'Alessandro praised the temperament showcased by Vettel in this victory:
The former Red Bull driver has enjoyed a remarkable career, and this weekend will see him involved in a Formula One grand prix for the 200th time.
As relayed by F1 journalist Luke Smith, he was asked to reflect on some of the finest moments of his career so far ahead of the big day in Bahrain:
Vettel will want the honours to continue coming in, and while he won last week, the Ferrari star will be wary of a Mercedes team that will want to storm back.
Although there was little the Silver Arrows could have done about the circumstances that allowed Vettel to take the initiative two weeks ago, not converting pole position into a win would have stung Hamilton.
"I don't understand what's happened," he said per Andrew Benson of BBC Sport. "I did everything I believe I was supposed to do. The safety car came out and I was coming down the straight and then really last minute I was told the Ferrari was coming out. I didn't know it was in but I thought I had the delta."
There's no doubt Hamilton will be going all out for victory this weekend. As noted by the F1 Twitter account, he's on the cusp of another landmark that showcases his consistency:
However, Hamilton will have to make up ground on the rest of the pack. Per Andrew Benson of BBC Sport, it was confirmed he will be bumped down five places on Sunday:
It's a circuit both Vettel and Hamilton have enjoyed success at, with the former winning here in 2012, 2013 and 2017 and the latter in 2014 and 2015.
Aside from the two title favourites, there will be a number of other storylines to keep an eye on, especially whether Red Bull pair Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen can respond after missing out on podium places in Melbourne.
Between the two—who were fourth and sixth, respectively—was Fernando Alonso, who produced a brilliant drive for McLaren.
As noted by F1 writer Ed Foster, positive results have been scarce lately for the two-time world champion:
At the sharp end of the race, Mercedes have the speed to win, although as was the case in Australia, Hamilton is likely to be frustrated again.
At a circuit that is primed for overtaking, he'll have enough to make up ground on some of the drivers ahead of him. But Vettel and Ferrari have been impressive in practice and will be too far down the road to get close to.
Prediction: 1. Vettel, 2. Raikkonen 3. Hamilton
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