The 57th Formula One world championship begins this weekend – and for the very first time the campaign kicks off in the Middle East.

The Bahraini Grand Prix heralds the dawn of another relentless season, with 18 three-day meetings spread across five continents and 226 days. Host circuit Sakhir is only the 13th – after Silverstone, Bremgarten, Buenos Aires, Monaco, Zandvoort, East London, Kyalami, Interlagos, Long Beach, Jacarepagua, Phoenix and Melbourne – to have staged the seasonal curtain-raiser.

This will be the third Bahraini GP – and the 751st event in the annals of the world championship. Michelin and its partner teams took a clean sweep of the top eight places in last year's corresponding fixture, with world champion-to-be Fernando Alonso heading home Jarno Trulli and Kimi Räikkönen.

The rules might have changed radically since then, with the return of V8 engines and mid- race tyre changes, but Michelin's unwavering commitment remains unaltered as it prepares to challenge for its 94th F1 grand prix victory… and defend two world titles.

Nick Shorrock, Formula One director, Michelin: "We evaluated a significant number of casings and compounds during our intensive winter test programme and learned a lot about the effect on tyres of the sport's latest rule changes. We have established that the new V8 engines require a different driving technique, which impacts on tyre performance, but have addressed this and the results have been very productive.

"This year, for the first time, we were able to conduct a pre -season test in Bahrain – and that was extremely useful. Normally, we are limited to testing in the cold of a European winter, when the weather tends to restrict the amount of useful running you can do per day. In Bahrain, however, we were able to run from nine until five – and that gave us ample opportunity to accumulate relevant data. It also confirmed that our preparations in Europe had been very astute.

"On the other hand, although the rules were changed in a bid to reduce costs, it is disappointing to note that a tyre manufacturer such as Michelin will have to carry 38 per more stock to grands prix this season than it did in 2005. Michelin is working with six F1 partners this year, rather than seven, yet finds itself having to supply more than 300 extra tyres per race weekend.

"This weekend marks the dawn of a new F1 era. It's a step into the unknown for everybody, but Michelin has prepared with its traditional attention to detail. We expect fierce competition but, as history shows, we thrive on such challenges."