Combined with the asphalt, the weather variances are why this track scores three out of five in Pirelli’s overall grip classification.

Track Evolution rates at 4 out of 5 on the Pirelli scale, too, meaning the track conditions and speed vary as the weekend progresses.

Look for slightly different conditions for the tires on Sunday compared to what the teams will see on Friday.

The result should be a high number of on-track passes, varying pit strategies, and tire degradation becoming a primary storyline in the final laps of the race.

In 2014, the Bahrain Grand Prix made the switch from a daytime race to a 6:00 pm start.  The sunset start time multiplies the challenges of the track.

The teams will see very warm daytime temperatures, but as the sun sets in the desert, the temperatures will fall drastically, and speeds should rise.

Turning Bahrain into a night race has improved the spectacle for fans by increasing the dynamics for both teams and drivers.

The rapidly cooling track affects the balance of the car in ways that are inconsistent with a standard, mid-afternoon event.

Look for close battles throughout the field and pit-stop strategies that make the difference for several positions.

In a race that could come down to tire wear, whichever drivers are able to manage their degradation best could end up in the points.

Speed Points

• 2023 will be the fifth time that Bahrain International Circuit has opened the season.

• Logan Sargeant will make his F1 debut for Williams Racing. The last American Formula One driver was Alexander Rossi who made five starts in 2015.

• Last season the Bahrain GP saw 78 overtakes, the third most of any track on the calendar.

• The safety car has been deployed just six times in the history of the event, which is equivalent to 33.3 percent of the races.

• No driver has won at Bahrain starting worse than fourth place.

• 44.4 percent of the Bahrain winners have started on the pole.

Recent Race Winners of the Bahrain Grand Prix