Formula One has never been this exciting with starting grids reshuffling quicker than the Ferraris can run, the title suddenly swinging away from Jenson Button, and controversies running galore

It is the sixth Bahrain Grand Prix this coming weekend and the statistics at Bahrain so far have Ferrari and

Renault painted all over. Michael Schumacher won the very first Bahrain GP with Ferrari in 2004. Ferrari has three victories including the last two consecutive wins with Felipe Massa while Renault has won twice with World Champion Fernando Alonso. It is a shame for both these teams to have rendered themselves unlikely candidates for this year’s Bahrain GP after consistent results in the previous five years.

The build-up

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Talking of Ferrari, it is the team’s worst start to a Formula One season in 28 years – three races into the season and the points table is still dry. The rain Gods haven’t been too kind to them but so has been the case for the rest of the field. The Maranello-based team can only hope for a fairy to swish a magic wand around the F60 to turn their fortunes overnight.

Jenson Button, the leader of the pack for now, has some hard thinking to do after the rain-soaked Chinese GP cut his winning streak short and the Brit could best manage a third spot. The same goes for Brawn GP who needs to ensure that both its drivers keep the good work going, and that cannot come without providing a Championship-winning car (read double-diffuser and KERS-compliant).

Toyota, after a promising start, seems like it is losing touch as the new Red Bull pair looked invincible with its surprisingly quick machines in China. Meanwhile, McLaren is slowly playing catch-up with the front of the field, and with a promise that wonder boy Lewis Hamilton holds in his driving, the possibility of points cannot be ruled out just yet.

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The best bet
It looks like a mixed strife for the top position in Bahrain and if only there was Jenson Vettel driving a Brawn Bull, a bet on him would be the safest. The odds however for Button are 10-27 while that for Vettel are 10-52, for assumingly Button’s shear lead in points. It wouldn’t be the wisest thing to write off Red Bull as a neck-to-neck competitor of Brawn GP after its brilliant performance in China. Even Jenson Button’s jaw dropped on his lap when the Red Bulls went past him and not just once. Mark Webber can follow the duo closely and you never know when you have a good day in Formula One.

Trivia on the Bahrain GP

• In 2006 the Bahrain GP was for the first time, the season-opening race as against the traditional Australian GP, since Australia was hosting the Commonwealth Games that year.
  
• Ferrari are by far the most successful team at the Bahrain International Circuit, having accumulated a staggering 60 points since 2004, the next best team being Renault with 29.
  
• Fernando Alonso brought Renault their 100th Grand Prix win after securing a victory at Bahrain in 2005.
  
• Traditional champagne is not sprayed on the podium by the drivers, though alcoholic beverages are allowed in Bahrain. As a substitute, they spray a local non-alcoholic rosewater drink.
  
• The huge run-off area is a feature of Sakhir circuit in Bahrain. This has made Bahrain one of the safest tracks in the world. It also prevents sand getting onto the track.

Cut to the Bahrain International Circuit

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The desert track in the Middle East is the first in its region and the venue can bring a sigh of relief to the rain-weary drivers. But the other extreme this time would be the heat effect as temperatures can soar up to 41 degree Celsius with winds blowing sand on the track which is an undesirable aspect. The 5.41km track has slow corners and is wider than many circuits around the world which adds to better overtaking opportunities. So you can tighten your seatbelts for some breathtaking action and you can’t ask for more if it’s between the latest biggies in F1.