Formula One travelled to the Middle East for the first time at the brand new circuit in Bahrain in 2004. The Bahrain International Circuit is a magnificent complex built expressly to host Formula One in the region.

The Circuit is located in Sakhir, which is around 30 kilometres from the country's Capital of Manama. Concerns over sand blowing onto the circuit proved to be wide of the mark as race organisers took time to ensure all lose material were firmly 'bonded' to the surface.

The inaugural event saw Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello dominate both in qualifying and in the race itself with Schumacher controlling the race to finish just 1.3 seconds ahead of his Brazilian team-mate. Fernando Alonso took the victory in 2005 on his way to his and Renault's first championship success.

Alonso was once again on the top step of the podium for Renault in 2006 - the season opening Grand Prix of the season - as he resisted pressure from Schumacher in what was a tightly fought contest. Raikkonen meanwhile charged through the field to take an impressive third position in the McLaren. Nico Rosberg also made a strong impression on his Grand Prix debut in the Williams Cosworth as he set the fastest lap on his way to seventh position.

After a shaky start to his 2007 campaign, Felipe Massa raced from the pole position to the chequered flag in his Ferrari, taking the win from Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen.

Robert Kubica made a little history for the BMW Sauber team by taking his and the team's first pole position in 2008.

Kubica was unable to convert his qualifying performance into the race win as Massa and Raikkonen led home a Ferrari one-two result. It was a difficult race for Hamilton who made a poor start after failing to select the correct launch map from third on the grid, dropping down the order before running into the back of Alonso's Renault as he looked to make up ground.