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Bahrain’s grand prix circuit will return to its original configuration for next year’s race, organisers have announced.

A twisting infield loop was added for this year’s season-opening event, extending the lap distance from 3.36

miles to 3.91 miles and adding more than 20 seconds to lap times, but was not judged a success.

The new section was slow and bumpy and contributed to a processional race, but the organisers maintain it showed their willingness to innovate.

“As the inaugural round of the Formula 1 world championship’s 60th anniversary season, it was important for us to celebrate this momentous occasion by doing something very unique and different,” said Shaikh Salman Bin Isa Al Khalifa, the circuit’s acting CEO.

“It was an enormous task given the time frame we had to implement it, but one that demonstrated Bahrain’s characteristics as a race promoter prepared to continually make changes designed to heighten the awareness and increase the levels of presentation associated with the sport of Formula 1.”

Bahrain joined the F1 calendar in 2004 and has staged the season-opener on two occasions (2006 and 2010). ITV-F1