Since 2017, the dark cloud of the Bahrain GP curse has taken over F1. It refers to the misfortunate top step of the podium and falls upon the heads of drivers who win the GP. Usually, starting the season on top would set the tone for your championship claim, but not in F1.
In recent years, Nico Rosberg has been the only driver to win the first race and the championship. Eerily enough, after 2016, this has not been repeated. A new pattern developed, where the driver who won the season’s first race is destined to finish second in the drivers’ championship.
History of the Bahrain GP Curse
Over the last six years, the curse has played its part. It should be mentioned that the term coined has only developed in recent times as fans storm social media with the phrase. Before 2021, Australia hosted the first race of the season. However, that didn’t stop this widely infamous F1 myth.
In 2017, Sebastian Vettel put his Ferrari ahead of Lewis Hamilton at Albert Park. Hamilton had started in pole, but Vettel claimed his first win in two years. As the season wore on, Hamilton won his fourth F1 title while the German trailed 46 points behind.
2018 saw a similar turn of events as, once again, Hamilton followed Vettel to the waving checkered flag in Australia. Two quadruple champions fought for their fifth title, but Vettel was shy of 88 points in this fight.
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2019 and 2020 were the year of the Silver Arrows. But, you guessed it, Hamilton didn’t win either season openers. Valtteri Bottas took the fall and was second on the drivers’ board for both years.
In 2021, Hamilton’s four-year drought ended at the Bahrain GP. The Brit stood proudly on the first step of the podium while a worried Max Verstappen finished second in the pecking order. After a long and hard-fought run to break the curse, Hamilton failed and finished second. Last season, the curse fell on Charles Leclerc, who celebrated Verstappen’s DNF from the top step of the podium in Bahrain. At the Japanese GP later in the season, the victory was Verstappen’s who conquered his second world championship.
Now, we approach the 7th year. Although no team has shown its true colors in testing, the bets are on Red Bull. Will Max Verstappen take the win and break the curse, or will there be another, a contender in red, riding the wave of the curse?
Fans are worried as the season approaches
The phenomenon has become a part of the pop culture within the community, with many well aware of the repercussions of winning in Bahrain. Hence, as the season approaches, memes flood the internet in jest of the dark curse.
Many even hoped their driver would valiantly break the curse, taking both the win and the championship- all for the plot.
All eyes are on the first race of the season with an intriguing pre-season test and the excitement of a new F1 season, we can only wait and watch to see if the curse strikes again.
