BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

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Jon Sayer: Pup names: Kimi Bite-the-postman.

Lewis Hamilton speaking with Sky Sports: "Tactics are going to be important today. A lot of people will be starting on medium, no-one is going to start on the soft and if they do they won't be on it for long.

"We all want to get on the hard tyre as soon as possible.

"I think everyone is going to be sliding around, like we always do when we come here, which is what makes this track so great to race on.

"You can follow on the straight and will see a lot of overtaking, so that is why strategy is going to be so important and everyone's strategy is going to be different."

rbaldy: Bahrain means hope. I hope the midfield battle rages on. I hope Albon drives a good race. I hope Russell finally gets a point. And I hope no dogs appear on track during the race.

If record-breaker Lewis Hamilton was a comic-book hero...

This is such a great video charting Hamilton's rise to seven-time world champion in under one minute.

Check it out.

The Bahrain Police Band has just performed the Bahrain national anthem while a 787 has just completed its fly past. Quite a sight it is too, with even Lewis Hamilton breaking from his preparations to look up and watch it pass over the start-finish straight.

As Carlos Sainz prepares to look all sultry in Ferrari overalls next season, his two-time world rally championship father has piped up to steal a bit of the limelight.

Carlos Sainz Sr will drive for QEV in 2021's inaugural Extreme E series.

You know, the climate-aware off-road racing Lewis Hamilton will run a team in.

Old man Sainz has won Dakar three times, so he'll be up there - as will Britain's Jamie Chadwick too, hopefully, who was announced as driving for Veloce this week.

• What is Extreme E?

Image source, Getty Images

Nick Price: Strategies play a huge role in making today's race more exciting.

Bibz: Really hope that tyre strategies play a huge role in making today's race more exciting. Fact that Mercedes have less tyre data than everyone else and with some drivers thinking they could have done better, I am cautiously optimistic today will be a great race.

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, who will start 12th on the grid, one place below team-mate Sebastian Vettel, speaking with Sky Sports: "We expect a difficult race. It's always very tricky here, with very high temperatures.

"Tyre management is a big thing and hopefully we can be good in the race."

Colin McRae became known for his flamboyant, crazy and fearless driving style and his motto 'if in doubt, flat out' made him a fan favourite.

His defining moment came 25 years ago when the Scot became the first British driver to win the World Rally Championship.

Tragically, a helicopter crash in September 2007 robbed the world of a unique talent.

But McRae's memory lives on and flags emblazoned with his name are still seen on the side of many rally stages at events across the world

BBC Sport's Victoria Turner looks back at his remarkable legacy.

Bibhash Dash: Pup names: George Ruffel, might aim for a drive at Red Pitbull some day?

A double hit of pup puns from Bibhash here. Strong.

Anymore for anymore? (See 1:31 entry)

Dusk is setting in over the circuit as the cars head on out to the grid.

Max Verstappen says he just seen a strange collection of lights - not a UFO sighting but rather some odd happenings on his dash.

Is this the race George Russell final bags his first points in Formula 1?

The 22-year-old starts 14th on the grid in Bahrain today.

Jeremiah Kariuki: One thing that has kept Mercedes being the best is consistency and improving on any mistakes they may have. Friday, they spent studying 2021 tyres. But that makes less favourable to have god tyre strategy and a win today.

Toto Woof has to be an obvious one?

Image source, EPA

Racing Point's Sergio Perez, speaking to Sky Sports: "Mercedes and Red Bull are on another level. They are so hard to beat. Our race is with the Renaults and McLarens.

On pit-stop strategy: "I am sure people will be trying to do something different, but it is such a difficult place to do that. Saying that, I think the race is wide open. We will be there or thereabouts, do our own race and anything can happen.

On his future at Racing Point: "I want to be here next year, with the right package. If not, it is just a part of life.

"I am also excited for things I have outside racing. I can't do this forever, but I am only 30 years old, so we will see what happens.

"All I can say is I am enjoying it, I am confident with what I am doing and think I'm doing well."