2021 Bahrain Grand Prix preview

The 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season kicks off at Sakhir International Circuit for the Bahrain Grand Prix. Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton entered the season as the reigning world champion, having won his seventh world title at last year's Turkish Grand Prix.

Mercedes will be the strongest and fastest constructor to beat after retaining their drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas in the "silver arrows" squad.

Aston Martin will make their return to Formula 1 since 1960 after rebranding from their previous names Force India (2010-2018) and Racing Point (2019-2020), and hired two high-quality drivers Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll.

McLaren will use the Mercedes engines after the constructor previously used the Honda (2015-2017) and Renault (2018-2020) engines. Daniel Ricciardo will make his debut with McLaren and the Australian will partnering with young Briton, Lando Norris. This will be the 2nd time McLaren will use the Mercedes engines; the British-based constructor have used the German engine from 1997 until 2014.

Carlos Sainz Jr. will make his debut with Scuderia Ferrari and became the 2nd only Spaniard to join the Prancing Horse squad, the other being Fernando Alonso who had joined the constructor from 2010 until 2014. Sainz will partnering with the young Monagasque, Charles Leclerc.

Alonso himself will make his return to F1 by joining Alpine (previously Renault) with his teammate Esteban Ocon.

In the Red Bull Racing squad, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez will "join the charge" as the title contenders against their rivals: Mercedes (Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas) and Ferrari (Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr)

There will be three drivers who will make their F1 debut at this week's Bahrain GP: Yuki Tsunoda joined the AlphaTauri squad, while Nikita Mazepin and last year's Formula 2 world champion Mick Schumacher joined the Haas team.

LIVE TV coverage

- Free practice sessions: Sky Sports 4 (UK and Europe), ESPN News (USA and North America), Fox Sports Asia (Southeast Asia)

- Qualifying: Sky Sports F1 (UK and Europe), ESPN F1 (USA and North America), Fox Sports Asia (Southeast Asia)

- Race: Sky Sports F1 (UK and Europe), ESPN F1 on ESPN2 (USA and North America), Fox Sports Asia (Southeast Asia)

Check your local listings.

For the latest race updates, visit Formula1.com

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