Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg in desert duel
Sahkir circuit will be first true test of Mercedes' dominance as victory has eluded teammates, but Briton and German hope to crack the hoodoo
Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg put Mercedes' early season dominance to its first true test on Sunday at the floodlit Bahrain Grand Prix on a track where both drivers have always struggled.
Hamilton, the 2008 world champion, swept to victory from pole in Malaysia last week ahead of Rosberg who clinched the opener in Australia.
But despite their lofty positions in the 2014 title race, the dust and heat of the troubled Middle East state have often choked the pair's ambitions.
Until last week, it was the same story for me with Malaysia, so fingers crossed this can be the year of breaking those cycles
Hamilton's best finish at the Sakhir track was second in 2007 while Rosberg has never made the podium with his storming drive to pole in 2013 yielding a poor ninth place finish.
His best result remains a humble fifth.
"I've finished on the podium there a couple of times but, for one reason or another, I've never managed to get the win," said Hamilton, whose victory at Sepang followed a retirement in Australia.
"Until last week, it was the same story for me with Malaysia, so fingers crossed this can be the year of breaking those cycles.