Welcome to the Bahrain F1 24 track guide!
Whether you’re a seasoned sim racer or just getting started, this guide will help you navigate the challenges of the Bahrain International Circuit. The Bahrain Grand Prix is not only a fan favourite but also a test of skill, strategy, and precision. Let’s dive into the details of this thrilling track!
Circuit Overview
- Length: 5.412 km (3.363 miles)
- Laps: 57 (in a full race)
- Turns: 15
- Race Distance: 308.238 km (191.634 miles)
The Bahrain F1 24 circuit features a mix of high-speed straights and technical corners, requiring a well-balanced setup. With three distinct sectors, each presents its unique challenges. Let’s break it down sector by sector.
Sector 1: Corners 1–4
Turn 1: “Michael Schumacher” Corner
- Heavy braking zone after the start/finish straight.
- Brake late and aim for a tight apex. Over-braking can lead to understeer, while too early braking sacrifices exit speed.
- Be cautious of oversteering on exit, as you’ll need to get on the throttle quickly for Turn 2.
Turn 2:
- Quick left-hander immediately after Turn 1.
- Focus on a smooth weight transfer, staying tight to the inside curb. This sets you up well for the flat-out kink of Turn 3.
Turn 3:
- It’s a fast right-hand kink that should be taken flat out.
- Use the full width of the track to maximize your speed heading into Turn 4. Any hesitation here can lose valuable time.
Turn 4:
- Medium-speed right-hander at the end of a straight.
- Brake heavily and aim for a late apex, allowing for early throttle application on exit.
- The changing camber can cause oversteer, so be careful not to push too hard.
Sector 2: Corners 5–13
Turns 5 and 6:
- Quick left-right chicane.
- Brake lightly before Turn 5, keeping the car balanced and smooth as you transition through Turn 6.
- The elevation change between these corners can upset the car, so stay stable and precise.
Turn 7:
- Sweeping left-hander leading into a hard braking zone.
- Maintain momentum through this turn but be prepared to brake hard for Turn 8 immediately after.
Turn 8:
- Tight, slow-speed hairpin.
- Brake late and aim for a late apex to maximize the exit. Getting this corner right is crucial for your speed down the following straight.
Turns 9 and 10:
- Among the most technical parts of the track.
- You’ll be braking and turning at the same time, which makes lock-ups common, good trail braking technique is crucial for maintaining lap time. Turn 10 is an extremely hard corner to master.
- Brake gently into Turn 9 and maintain control as you hit a sharp turn-in for Turn 10. A clean exit onto the straight is key to carrying speed through the next sector.
Turn 11:
- A long, sweeping left-hander.
- Brake lightly and ease off the brake as you turn in. The corner camber helps with grip, so aim to carry as much speed as possible through this corner.
Turn 12:
- A fast left-hander that can often be taken flat-out with the right setup.
- Be precise here, as exceeding track limits on exit can cost you valuable time or lead to penalties.
Turn 13:
- Medium-speed right-hand corner with a slightly blind entry.
- Brake late and aim for a late apex. A smooth exit will allow you to get on the throttle early as you head into Sector 3.
Sector 3: Corners 14–15
Turn 14:
- High-speed right-hander.
- Brake late but lightly to avoid overshooting the corner.
- Focus on a smooth entry and exit to maintain your momentum down the final stretch of the track.
Turn 15:
- A kink leading back onto the start/finish straight.
- It’s crucial to get a clean exit here, as this sets you up for maximum speed on the long straight. Even small mistakes can affect your next lap.
Full Qualifying Lap
In this section, you’ll find my full Bahrain F1 24 qualifying lap video where I aim to challenge myself against real-world qualifying lap times.
Previous Pole Lap Times
- 2024: Max Verstappen – 1:29.179
- 2023: Max Verstappen – 1:29.708
- 2022: Charles Leclerc – 1:30.558
- 2021: Max Verstappen – 1:28.997
- 2020: Lewis Hamilton – 1:27.264
Bahrain F1 24 Setup
For my Bahrain F1 24 qualifying lap, I used a setup designed for a 35% race distance using 100 AI difficulty. It’s a solid foundation to fine-tune and adapt to your driving style. I’ve opted for a “set it and forget it” approach, so you don’t need to adjust brake bias or the on-throttle diff during the race, which is helpful if you’re uncomfortable making changes on the fly.
| Aerodynamics | Front wing | 40 |
| Rear wing | 34 | |
| Transmission | Differential on-throttle | 55% |
| Differential off-throttle | 35% | |
| Engine braking | 80% | |
| Suspension Geometry | Front camber | -3.50 |
| Rear camber | -2.20 | |
| Front toe-out | 0.00 | |
| Rear toe-in | 0.05 | |
| Suspension | Front suspension | 41 |
| Rear suspension | 3 | |
| Front anti-roll bar | 21 | |
| Rear anti-roll bar | 14 | |
| Front ride height | 25 | |
| Rear ride height | 55 | |
| Brakes | Brake pressure | 100% |
| Front brake bias | 55% | |
| Tyres | Front right tyre pressure | 25.0psi |
| Front left tyre pressure | 28.5psi | |
| Rear right tyre pressure | 26.0psi | |
| Rear left tyre pressure | 26.0psi |
Memorable Moments in Bahrain F1 History
- 2004 Debut Race: The inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix saw Michael Schumacher secure a historic victory, marking a new chapter in F1 history.
- 2006 Showdown: Fernando Alonso won in a dramatic race featuring multiple lead changes, showcasing the track’s competitive spirit.
- 2009 Toyota’s Missed Opportunity: Toyota locked out the front row but lost to Jenson Button after pit stops, with Trulli finishing third and Glock seventh.
- 2014 Night Race Duel in the Desert: The first night race in Bahrain was a visual spectacle, with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg battling it out at the beginning of the turbo hybrid era with Lewis Hamilton taking the win.
- 2020 Crash: Romain Grosjean survived a horrific crash that involved his car splitting in two and bursting into flames.
I’ve included some of these memorable moments from the Bahrain Grand Prix not just because I’m a sim racer, but because I’m a huge Formula 1 fan as well. It would be great to hear some of your favorite memorable moments too—share them in the comments below!
Personal Lap Reflection
I truly enjoy the challenge that the Bahrain Grand Prix presents, and I always look forward to racing here. Across various game modes, I tend to have strong performances at this circuit, making it one of the tracks where I feel most confident.
When I reflect on my lap time, I’m happy with the result, even though I know there’s still room for improvement. I recorded this lap without editing, showcasing a couple of small lock-ups and wheel spins to illustrate that I’m just an average racer who enjoys pushing my limits.
I may not be an Esports driver, as they operate on an entirely different skill level, but that’s the beauty of sim racing—it can be enjoyed by anyone. Whether you’re racing on a console or PC, using a controller or a full racing setup, there are hours of fun for all. It’s about the journey of improvement, the pursuit of the perfect lap, and relishing the thrill of the experience. So fire up your device, grab your racing hardware, lights out and race!
Moreover, I’m not just a sim racer; I’m also a passionate Formula 1 fan. This connection fuels my enthusiasm for creating these guides. I’d love to hear how this setup works for you and what lap times you manage to achieve. Please feel free to share your results and any memorable moments you’ve experienced at the Bahrain Grand Prix!
Conclusion
The Bahrain F1 24 Grand Prix offers a thrilling mix of high-speed straights and technical corners, making it a favourite among sim racers and fans alike. By following this sector-by-sector guide, you’ll be better equipped to tackle this challenging circuit and improve your lap times. I hope this breakdown enhances your experience, and I look forward to seeing how you tackle the track!
I put together this track guide using my trusty Fanatec GT DD Pro 8Nm racing wheel paired with the F1 Esports V2 rim, along with modded CSL pedals for that extra responsiveness. I race on the PS5, seated comfortably in my modified Playseat Challenge. To elevate my performance even further, I gear up with specialized gloves and boots that provide the perfect grip and feel. This setup has truly enhanced my control and precision on the track, making every racing session not just competitive, but incredibly enjoyable!
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your lap times and any memorable moments you’ve experienced at the Bahrain Grand Prix in the comments below. Don’t forget to check out my other reviews on sim racing gear, and remember to follow along for my other how-to series. I’m excited to see you at the next circuit, Saudi Arabia Jeddah!