Stroll happy to venture into familiar territory

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For the first time this season, Williams' Lance Stroll won't have to learn a track at the outset as he's already acquainted with the Bahrain International Circuit.

What would be new for the young Canadian this year however is a race finish, the Williams rookie failing to see the checkered flag both Australia and China.

"While China was difficult, we have some positives to take out of the weekend, as the qualifying was good even if the race was not what we wanted," says Stroll.

"But it is still early days and there are a lot more opportunities."

Williams heads to Bahrain with lessons from China

Hopefully, the next opportunity will arise this weekend in Sakhir, a circuit Stroll has indeed visited before.

"It will be a pretty heavy schedule to have my first back-to-back races from China to Bahrain," he says.

"However, Bahrain will be the first track this season that I have driven on before, so that will be a bit of a breather for me.

"It is a track that has a good flow to it. It can be quite slippery sometimes, as the wind blows the sand over it because it is in the desert.

"It is a very modern track, but quite bumpy in certain places and, just as with many other circuits, has its challenges.

"I really enjoyed myself the one time I have been there so I am looking forward to the race. It is definitely one of those desert tracks as there is not much grass, but it is still a cool place.

"I know there has been some good racing in Bahrain, which is always great."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.