Formula One has announced that the Bahrain Grand Prix will remain on the calendar until 2036. The Sakhir circuit joined the schedule in 2004 during Bernie Ecclestone’s rule, becoming the first F1 race in the Middle East. The race was cancelled in 2011 amid civil unrest in the country but has been an ever-present on the calendar since. For the second consecutive season, Bahrain will stage the first race of a record-breaking 23-round campaign, with Max Verstappen opening his championship defence in the Gulf Kingdom on March 20. ‘Since 2004 we have had some fantastic races in Sakhir and we cannot wait to be back there for the start of the 2022 championship as we begin a new era for the sport.

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