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Sakhir (dpa) - There are still two races to complete in the 2020 Formula 1 season - one of which will take place in Bahrain.
The route: In the rocky desert of Sakhir, Formula 1 has been driving since 2004 on a circuit designed by the Aachen builder Hermann Tilke.
This time, however, only part of the standard route is used.
After turn four, the pilots now turn left instead of right and then drive on the oval-shaped outer track before returning before the last turn.
At 3.543 kilometers in length, the Sakhir oval is only 200 meters longer than the street circuit in Monaco.
That is why the race also leads over the distance of 87 laps.
The location: Around 30 kilometers from the capital Manama, people rest under floodlights on the site of a former camel farm.
That guarantees spectacular pictures.
The dry heat, which can still be felt in the evening hours, and the rough sand that blows onto the track are challenges for man and machine.
The first cars on the track clean the asphalt relatively quickly.
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The statistics: Lewis Hamilton drew level with the previous record holder Sebastian Vettel with his fourth Bahrain victory last week.
Formula 1 has never raced on the oval - and Hamilton will not be there this time due to a corona infection.
The unforgettable race: Do you remember Bahrain 2011?
Back then the season opener was supposed to take place in Sakhir.
But because of violent political unrest, the race was canceled - a novelty in Formula 1 history.
Later a farce developed as to whether the race would not be rescheduled despite all the protests against the political leadership in the country.
"We are not political," said the then Formula 1 managing director Bernie Ecclestone defiantly.
The premier class of motorsport experienced the limits of their morale amid riots.
This is how it went the previous week: Romain Grosjean's frightening fire accident shortly after the start made Lewis Hamilton's eleventh win of the season a minor matter.
Only with a lot of luck and thanks to the significantly increased safety over the years will the Frenchman survive the crash almost unscathed.
Because of burns on his hands, Grosjean is paused this time and is replaced by debutant Pietro Fittipaldi from Brazil.
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© dpa-infocom, dpa: 201201-99-536617 / 2
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