Drivers Critical of Bahrain Circuit

The new Sakhir circuit, which will host Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix, has too many slow corners, according to some Formula One drivers.

Bahrain has created an oasis in the middle of the desert, spending over $150 million into the state-of-the-art Sakhir circuit. Even before turning a wheel at the track, Italian driver Jarno Trulli said he was disappointed with the circuit ahead of this weekend's first ever Middle East race.

"For a driver, a new track is always exciting. However, I admit that I'm a bit disappointed: it could have been better," Trulli told Gazzetta dello Sport. "There are too many slow, first gear curves. You don't need guts to drive here. Honestly, I expected something more technical.

"They have created an exceptional, ultramodern venue, but with all the space at their disposal they could have done better. Instead they created a track that I'd define slow, where we'll probably use Montreal-like aerodynamic loads: it's true that there are very long straights, but at the end of those there's a tight corner that will require heavy braking.

"So, we'll either have the gas fully open, or we'll be almost still. There are at least three first gear curves, and I fear four. Too many. It's a shame."

McLaren's David Coulthard said he liked the track overall, but, like Trulli, the Scot believes there are too many slow corners.

"There's less dust than I expected, and that's a good thing, and more tight curves than I thought and a longer straight compared to other circuits," said Coulthard. "It's a positive sensation, and I like the track overall, even if there are things that I wouldn't have done.

"There are at least four first gear or second gear turns, which I think are too many. If it was me designing the track, I would have had slow turns alternating fast, spectacular curves, where the driver's foot is important."

Renault driver Fernando Alonso also agreed.

"I'm impressed by what they've built in the middle of nowhere," he said. "I like it, even though there are too many slow corners, which however should guarantee a chance of passing."

Jordan driver Giorgio Pantano, making his Grand Prix debut this season, said the track seemed too easy.

"It's a nice track, but certainly not hard, since it's all about heavy braking, tight hairpins and curves slightly over 90 degrees," said Pantano. "From what I saw in the drawings I thought it would have been harder."