This is the F1 2018 setup for Bahrain on this site: front wing 1, rear wing 8, a firm front end and a very soft rear. It is a time trial setup, saved with 10 kg of fuel. The full menu is in the table below, then I explain why it works in Sakhir and what I would change for a race or for a pad.
It was collected in 2022 from a fast time trial lap, like the rest of my F1 2018 setups. Use it as a starting point.
F1 2018 Bahrain setup
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Fuel load | 10 kg |
| Front wing | 1 |
| Rear wing | 8 |
| Differential on throttle | 100% |
| Differential off throttle | 75% |
| Front camber | -2.50 |
| Rear camber | -1.00 |
| Front toe | 0.05 |
| Rear toe | 0.20 |
| Front suspension | 7 |
| Rear suspension | 2 |
| Front anti-roll bar | 9 |
| Rear anti-roll bar | 4 |
| Front ride height | 3 |
| Rear ride height | 3 |
| Brake pressure | 75% |
| Front brake bias | 52% |
| Front tyre pressure | 24.2 psi |
| Rear tyre pressure | 22.7 psi |
| Ballast | 8 |
An onboard lap of Bahrain in F1 2018
Watch where the car is placed on the exits. In Bahrain the lap is made there.
Why this setup works in Bahrain
The Bahrain International Circuit is 5.412 km long with 15 corners. The pattern is simple: a long straight, a big stop, a slow corner, and full throttle again. It happens four times a lap. So the two things that matter are top speed and traction.
The wings follow that. Front wing 1 is the minimum, and it takes drag off the car on every straight. Rear wing 8 looks high next to it, but it does a job: it keeps the rear tyres pressed into the track when you go to full throttle from 80 km/h. The price is understeer in the faster corners, turn 6 and turn 12 above all. In time trial that is a fair trade, because Bahrain has few fast corners and many traction zones.
The geometry is on the safe side too. Camber at -2.50 and -1.00 and toe at 0.05 and 0.20 are the lowest values in the menu. The tyres stand flat on the track, which is what you want under braking and under acceleration in a straight line.
Firm front, very soft rear
The front suspension is at 7 and the front anti-roll bar at 9. The rear is at 2 and 4. That is a big gap, and it is the heart of this setup.
A soft rear lets the car squat on the rear tyres when you open the throttle. More weight on them means more grip, so you can use the power earlier. That is also what makes a fully locked differential possible. At 100% on throttle both rear wheels turn at the same speed, which gives the best drive in a straight line but makes the rear step out if you ask for power with steering lock on. The soft rear takes some of that edge away.
The firm front keeps the nose precise in the change of direction from turn 5 to turn 7, and stops the car from diving too much in the four big braking zones.
Ride height is 3 and 3. Low, for the straights. Bahrain has flat kerbs on most exits, so you can get away with it.
What to change
One change at a time, three laps, then decide.
| Problem | Change |
|---|---|
| The car pushes wide in turn 6 and turn 12 | Front wing from 1 to 2 or 3 |
| Still understeer in the slow corners | Front anti-roll bar from 9 to 7 |
| Wheelspin out of turn 1, turn 8 or turn 10 | On throttle differential from 100% to 85% |
| The rear moves when you lift into turn 11 | Off throttle differential from 75% to 85% |
| The inside front locks into turn 10 | Brake pressure from 75% to 72% |
| The rear steps out under braking for turn 1 | Front brake bias from 52% to 54% |
| The rear feels lazy in the esses | Rear anti-roll bar from 4 to 6 |
For a race. Bahrain is hard on the rear tyres. Every slow exit is a chance to light them up. Lower the on throttle differential to 80% and the rear tyre pressure by a click or two, and add one or two clicks of front wing so the fronts do not slide either. You will lose a little on the straights and gain it back by lap five.
On a pad. Start with the on throttle differential at 75%. A trigger has very little travel, and a fully locked differential needs a careful foot. Raise the front brake bias to 54% as well.
F1 2018 was the first game of the series with manual ERS modes. In Bahrain, save the battery in the slow middle sector and spend it on the main straight and on the run to turn 4.
Where the lap time is in Bahrain
Turn 1. The biggest stop of the lap, from top speed down to first or second gear. Brake in a straight line and take a late apex, because turn 2 and turn 3 follow at once and the exit of that sequence leads onto a long straight.
Turn 4. A wide right hander at the top of the hill. It invites you to go in too fast. Do not. Get the car turned early and use all the exit kerb.
Turn 5 to turn 7. The fast esses. With front wing 1 the car will push here. One smooth line, a small lift for turn 6, and do not fight the wheel.
Turn 8. A hairpin. Slow in, straight out. Nothing to gain on entry.
Turn 9 and turn 10. The hardest corner on the track. You brake downhill while you are still turning left, and the inside front has no weight on it. It will lock. Brake a little earlier than you think, come off the pedal as you turn, and accept a slow entry for a clean exit.
Turn 11. A long uphill left. Be patient with the throttle until you see the exit.
Turn 13. The exit leads onto the back straight. A late apex here is worth more than a brave entry.
Turn 14 and turn 15. The last corner. Brake early, turn once, and be on the throttle before the apex of turn 15. The speed you carry here stays with you all the way to turn 1.
Bahrain in 2018
Sebastian Vettel took pole position for the 2018 Bahrain Grand Prix with a 1:27.958 and won the race, over 57 laps. Valtteri Bottas finished second for Mercedes, right behind him at the flag, and Lewis Hamilton was third. Pierre Gasly brought the Toro Rosso home in fourth.
More F1 2018 setups
Bahrain is round two of the 2018 calendar. Before it comes the Australia setup, which runs the rear wing at 11, and after it the China setup. All the tracks are on the F1 2018 setups page.
If you play the current game, the track is the same and the car is not: see my F1 25 Bahrain setup.
FAQ
What is the best F1 2018 setup for Bahrain?
Front wing 1, rear wing 8, differential 100% on throttle and 75% off, suspension 7 and 2, anti-roll bars 9 and 4, ride height 3 and 3, brake pressure 75% with 52% front bias, and tyres at 24.2 and 22.7 psi.
What wing levels should I run in Bahrain in F1 2018?
1 at the front and 8 at the rear for time trial. For a race I would add one or two clicks at the front, so the front tyres last.
Can I use this Bahrain setup in a race?
Yes, with a few changes. It is saved with 10 kg of fuel. Lower the on throttle differential to 80%, drop the rear tyre pressure a little and add some front wing.
Does this setup work with a controller?
It does. Lower the on throttle differential to 75% and raise the front brake bias to 54%, so the car is calmer on the throttle and on the brakes.
Why does the car understeer with this setup?
Because the front wing is at the minimum. That is the price of the top speed. Add front wing one click at a time until turn 6 and turn 12 feel right.
Where do I lose the most time in Bahrain?
Usually at turn 10, by locking the inside front, and on the exits of turn 1, turn 8 and turn 13, by going to the throttle too early.