Bahrain is the simplest track on the F1 2017 calendar to understand. Four straights, four big braking zones, and slow corners in between. You need top speed, good brakes and traction, in that order.
This is the F1 2017 setup I have for it: low wings, a locked differential and a soft rear end. It is a time trial setup, saved with 10 kg of fuel.
F1 2017 Bahrain setup
| Setting | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|
| Wing | 3 | 5 |
| Differential (on / off throttle) | 100% | 80% |
| Camber | -2.50 | -1.00 |
| Toe | 0.05 | 0.20 |
| Suspension | 7 | 6 |
| Anti-roll bar | 9 | 4 |
| Ride height | 5 | 5 |
| Tyre pressure | 23.0 psi | 21.1 psi |
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Fuel load | 10 kg |
| Brake pressure | 82% |
| Front brake bias | 54% |
| Ballast | 10 |
In F1 2017 the wings, suspension, anti-roll bars, ride height and ballast all use a scale from 1 to 11.
This setup was collected for the site in 2022 from a fast time trial lap, like the rest of my F1 2017 setups. Use it as a base and adjust it with the table further down.
Why this setup works in Bahrain
The lap is 5.412 km with 15 corners. Most of them are slow, and nearly all of them come after a straight.
The wings. At low speed a wing does very little. The grip in a hairpin comes from the tyres and the suspension, not from the air. So in Bahrain a big wing gives you almost nothing in the corners and takes speed away on four straights. 3 and 5 is the right area. The only place you miss the downforce is the fast left, right, left at turn 5, 6 and 7.
The bars. Front 9, rear 4. The soft rear bar is what matters here. Out of turn 1, turn 4, turn 8 and turn 10 you ask the rear tyres for everything, and a soft rear keeps both of them pressed into the track.
The ride height and springs. 5 and 5 with 7 and 6. A middle of the road base. The track is smooth and the kerbs are flat, so there is nothing to protect the car from.
Brakes and differential
The brakes are at 82% pressure with 54% at the front. On a track with four stops from top speed, that is the part of the setup you feel most. 82% is not the shortest braking distance you can get, but you can hit the pedal hard without locking a wheel on every lap.
The one corner where it does not save you is turn 10. You brake downhill while the car is already turning left, the inside front tyre has no weight on it, and it locks. Everyone has this problem there, in the game and in the real car. Brake a little earlier and release the pedal as you turn. If it still locks, move the bias back.
The on throttle differential is at 100%, fully locked. For one lap it gives the best drive off the corners. Off throttle it is 80%, which keeps the rear stable on the brakes.
What to change
One change at a time, three laps, then decide.
| Problem | Change | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelspin out of turn 1, turn 4, turn 8 or turn 10 | On throttle differential 100% to 80% | This is a traction track. An open differential lets the inside rear wheel keep its grip |
| Inside front tyre locks into turn 10 | Front brake bias 54% to 52% | You brake while turning downhill there, and the unloaded front tyre locks first |
| Front tyres lock into turn 1 | Brake pressure 82% to 78% | Less peak pressure, easier to control without ABS |
| Rear is loose in the fast turn 5, 6 and 7 | Rear wing 5 to 6 | More rear downforce in the only fast section of the lap |
| Understeer in turn 11 and turn 13 | Front wing 3 to 4 | More front grip in the medium speed corners |
| Rear tyres overheat after a few laps | Rear anti-roll bar 4 to 3 | A softer rear spreads the load and the tyres slide less on exit |
For a race
Bahrain is hard on the rear tyres. Every slow corner exit is a chance to spin them, and a locked differential makes it worse. Before a 25% or 50% race I would change this:
- On throttle differential 100% to 80%. More than I would open it at other tracks. You lose a little drive on new tyres and you gain a lot at the end of the stint.
- Rear wing 5 to 6. A calmer rear with fuel in the car, in turn 5, 6 and 7 and on every exit.
- Fuel. The 10 kg is a time trial number. In a race the game sets the load for the distance.
On a pad, I would also take the brake pressure down to around 78%.
Where the lap time is in Bahrain
- Turn 1. The hardest stop of the lap and the best place to pass. Brake in a straight line, turn in late, and think about the exit of turn 3, not turn 1. Turn 2 and 3 are one long acceleration, and you want to be flat as early as you can.
- Turn 4. A wide right hander after the second straight. There is a lot of room on exit. Use all of it.
- Turn 5, 6 and 7. The only fast part. One line through all three, with a small lift on the way in. If you fight the car here you are slow all the way to turn 8.
- Turn 8. A slow right hairpin. Late apex, straight car, full throttle.
- Turn 9 and 10. The difficult one. Brake early, release as you turn, and accept a slow entry. The straight after turn 10 is long.
- Turn 11, 12 and 13. Uphill and faster than they look. Turn 13 leads onto the last long straight, so the exit matters more than the entry.
- Turn 14 and 15. Brake hard for 14 and stay patient through 15. A good exit carries down the whole main straight and sets up a pass into turn 1.
The rule for this track is the oldest one in racing: slow in, fast out. The time you give away on the brakes is small. The time you win on the straight is not.
Bahrain in 2017
The real 2017 Bahrain Grand Prix was the third round of the season, on 16 April. Valtteri Bottas took the first pole position of his career in 1:28.769 for Mercedes. Sebastian Vettel won the race for Ferrari, his second win in three races, with Lewis Hamilton second and Bottas third.
More F1 2017 setups
All 20 tracks are in my F1 2017 setups table. The round before this one is the F1 2017 China setup, which uses the same wings, and the season starts with the F1 2017 Australia setup.
For the same track in other games, here are my F1 2018 Bahrain setup and my F1 25 Bahrain setup. The values do not carry over from one game to the next.
FAQ
What is the best wing setup for Bahrain in F1 2017?
Front wing 3 and rear wing 5 for time trial. For a race I would go to 6 at the rear to help the rear tyres.
Why do the front tyres lock into turn 10 in Bahrain?
You brake downhill while turning left, so the inside front tyre has very little weight on it. Brake earlier, release the pedal as you turn, and move the front brake bias from 54% to 52% if it keeps happening.
What differential should I use in Bahrain in F1 2017?
100% on throttle and 80% off throttle for time trial. For a race, open the on throttle value to around 80% to protect the rear tyres.
Does this setup work with a controller?
Yes. I would lower the brake pressure to around 78% and the on throttle differential to 80% so the car is easier on the triggers.
What tyre pressures should I use in Bahrain?
23.0 psi front and 21.1 psi rear.
Where can I overtake in Bahrain in F1 2017?
Into turn 1 with DRS, then turn 4 and turn 11.
How long is the Bahrain track in F1 2017?
5.412 km with 15 corners. The real race is 57 laps.