Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton has dominated the start of the season with two victories. Can he make it two in a row at Bahrain? Getty

It was a quick turnaround for the drivers and the teams following the Chinese Grand Prix, as just a week later the F1 juggernaut has landed in Bahrain.

A race that ignited the Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg battle last year, the duo went head-to-head for victory with the Briton eventually coming out on top after a tough battle that saw both the cars being pushed out of track during the battle.

This year the feud has already begun, with Rosberg accusing Hamilton of being a "selfish driver" post the Chinese GP at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Apart from the battle between the two drivers, Ferrari will resume its challenge to topple the dominant Mercedes team. Will Red Bull and Williams join the party? Only time will tell. The action gets underway at the Bahrain International Circuit on Thursday, 17 April.

Where to watch live

The first practice session of the Bahrain Grand Prix starts at 12pm BST, with Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports F1 HD providing live coverage in the UK.

Real-time internet updates are available on the Live Timing section of the sport's official website.

Live coverage of the second practice session starts at 4pm BST.

Track Facts

  • Circuit name: Bahrain International Circuit
  • First F1 Race: 2004
  • Circuit length: 5.412kms
  • Number of laps: 57
  • Race distance: 308.238 km
  • Lap record: 1:31.447 Pedro De La Rosa (2005)
  • Most wins: Fernando Alonso (3)
  • 2014 winner: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
  • 2014 pole: Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)

Drivers' Championship review

Lewis Hamilton extended his lead over second placed Sebastian Vettel to 13 points following his victory at the Shanghai International Circuit last weekend. Nico Rosberg's second place in the race was not enough to topple the Ferrari driver from that spot and he remains in third a further four points behind.

Kimi Raikkonen made up some ground with another fourth-place finish and will be looking to close in on the top three in Bahrain.

Constructors' Championship review

Mercedes have a 40 point lead over Ferrari after three races owing to their one-two finishes in Australia and China, and look favourites to repeat last year's feat.

Ferrari are the best of the rest at the moment and sit on second place with 48 points and Williams chasing with 31 points behind on third. Sauber have kept their place ahead of Red Bull after an impressive start to the season.

McLaren's struggles continue, but they are clearly improving as they managed to take both cars across the finish line in China, showing that they are moving in the right direction.