F1: Bahrain Grand Prix

Sunday April 22
Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir
Sky Sports F1 1pm

So it looks, at the time of writing, like Formula 1 will be returning to Bahrain after a year’s absence. Whether it should or not is not something we’ve got the space to fully explore here, although the FIA’s insistence that the race will go ahead begs the question of what level of civil unrest there would have to be before they found it prudent to halt their usual operations.

On the track at least, it’s been far from business as usual, as the first three races have yielded three different winners, from three different teams — only the second time that’s happened this century. It’s a good track, according to Sky commentator Anthony Davidson, who says: “It’s got good flow, and what they’ve done in the middle of the desert is outstanding.”

Nico Rosberg’s pole to flag victory in China shows that Mercedes’ unique DRS set-up can do it on race-day as well as in qualifying, and they’ll certainly benefit from the track layout. Lewis Hamilton leads the nascent standings, as unlike last year he’s been quietly going about his business for a hat-trick of bottom-step finishes, but the McLaren is not as dominant as it looked like it might be.

After the processional Red Bull romp of last year, you actually feel like almost anyone is capable of winning a race this season. That has given this season so far the kind of uncertainty that the sport ought to thrive on, and it will make for an exciting race in Bahrain, whether you think it should be happening or not.