Sunday 12th March 2006

The Bahrain Grand Prix (formally the III Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix) was held at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. The race, contested over 57 laps, was the opening round of the 2006 Formula One season and the third running of the Bahrain Grand Prix. It was won by the 2005 World Champions, Fernando Alonso and the Renault team. Ferrari driver and polesitter Michael Schumacher began his final season in Formula One (before his return with Mercedes in 2010) with second position. Kimi Räikkönen completed the podium after he finished in third place with the McLaren team, despite starting in last position.