• 2010 Season

New circuit layout for Bahrain Grand Prix

A new layout will be used for the 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix © Sutton Images

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Organisers of the Bahrain Grand Prix have revealed that this year's race, which will open the season on March 14, will take place on an extended layout.

The event will now use the 3.9 mile endurance circuit, which incorporates an extra six turns as well as the majority of the configuration used in recent years. The additional track leaves the circuit just after turn four, sweeping left then right before entering a slower complex and finally a hairpin that rejoins at the old turn five. The new layout has been used in endurance sports car racing in the past and the circuit chairman Zayed R. Alzayani is hoping it will suit the 26-car Formula One grid for 2010.

"The loop was completed in 2006 as part of the built-in evolution of the venue for competitors and fans," said Alzayani. "We gave it its debut with the inaugural 24 Hour Race of Bahrain that same year where it proved extremely successful, and with the changes to the regulations, the teams and the driver line-ups in Formula One this year it is the perfect time to evolve the circuit with this new challenge and new overtaking opportunities."

The organisers also revealed that they are not expecting a sell-out crowd for the race. The event has taken over the season-opening slot from Australia in an attempt to boost its attendance, but circuit CEO Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa does not think the grandstands will be entirely full.

"We have a total capacity of 34,000 but I would expect the number [on Sunday] to go to 32,000," Sheikh Salman said.

Only 28,000 attended last year's Bahrain GP, which was the fourth round on the 2009 calendar.

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