Formula One Racing has been around for many years, but like several of todays hottest sports, F1 is expanding due to a swelling fan-base and money pouring into the sport. One of the newest races on the F1 tour is the Bahrain Grand Prix. This race has taken place at the Bahrain International Circuit since April 4, 2004 and will kick off this season on 12 to 14 March.

Different parts of the world - specially in Europe - embrace the racing culture and there, millions of dollars are invested in building tracks and stadiums for racers to compete, but few ever thought that the Middle East would host an F1 event. Most to the sports surprise, however, Gulf Air sponsored the Bahrain Grand Prix and it became the first F1 race to take place in the region.

The Bahrain International Circuit, with its immense popularity, opened up the door for other Middle Eastern territories to begin plans of hosting their own races. The United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Lebanon are all vying to be the next countries to hold a Formula One circuit race within their borders.

In the F1 world, its easy to have races go belly-up in a hurry. Some of the circuits held in the Americas are ultimately unsuccessful due to the Sprint Car and NASCAR series there. But with Bahrain, a small island in the Persian Gulf, the race went off without a hitch and the FIA named it the Best Organised Grand Prix of the year.

Since this circuit race appeared on the schedule, it has been the third race of the schedule. However, after Australia had some scheduling conflicts with their Commonwealth Games in 2006, the Bahrain Grand Prix replaced the Australian Grand Prix as the first race on the schedule and will again be the first race of the season in 2010.

The 49-lap, 166-mile Bahrain Grand Prix was a tough obstacle for the drivers unfamiliar with the lay of the land. With four separate straight-aways to run on and 24 corners to contend with, Bahrain was definitely constructed for only the most skillful drivers in the world.

Michael Schumacher, the German F1 driving legend, secured the tracks first win in 2004. In 2005 and 2006, the Middle Eastern track quickly had its first back-to-back champion with Fernando Alonso. The track would see another back-to-back winner in 2007 and 2008 with Brazilian phenomenon Felipe Massa. And in 2009, Jenson Button took the checkered flag.

The track has had its fair share of criticism, however. Due to the large run-off areas on the track, drivers who veer off course are able to gain control of the car and run back onto the track; far different from usual tracks, where drivers are punished for run-offs. 2010s track will be slightly modified.

The next race will be a true endurance battle for the drivers. The track length is being extended to roughly four miles, and a brand new sequence of turns will be used to keep the drivers on their toes. Bahrain in 2010 should be one of F1s best races.