The four Formula One world champions present on the 2010 grid came together for the traditional pre-weekend press conference at the Sakhir track, with each of them predicting an exciting season ahead for the sport.
The drivers in the press conference accounted for nine of the ten titles from the last decade of the sport. Only 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen, who has taken a sabbatical to spend a year crashing a Citroen, was absent. Felipe Massa was also invited to the press conference, for a laugh.
And the champions were in high spirits ahead of the start of one of the most hotly-anticipated F1 seasons in history.
"I am looking forward to getting out there," 2009 champion Jenson Button grinned, voicing the thoughts of the others in the room, "It is such a competitive season, it looks like. It is possibly one of the most exciting seasons we have seen in Formula One, so just being a part of that is very special."
The reigning champion added that he was enjoying the challenge of adjusting to life with his new team at McLaren.
"It is a completely new environment," he said, rather obviously, "It is a real challenge and most of us do not really like change, but it has been good.
"Even after sort of two months I really feel part of the team. We have not even gone racing yet and I feel a big part of the team. I have always worked very hard to make myself fit into a team reasonably well but the team have been great. They are so hungry for a good season. Last year for them was not the best and it has made them hungry for success this year."
His team mate, and the 2008 world champion, Lewis Hamilton, insisted that he didn't really feel any extra motivation having his fellow Brit alongside him.
"I don't think it makes a huge difference," he replied when asked about his new team mate, "Jenson has been welcomed into the team and he seems to be doing a great job, very productive, enthusiastic and he has really brought a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the team. I can only see it as a positive.
"On my side, for me, just from coming from not so good a year last year but to finish on quite a high I feel just as determined as ever if not more."
Fernando Alonso, the new Ferrari man and the champion from 2005 and 2006, continued to downplay Ferrari's pace over the pre-season tests, saying that any one of four teams could be the quickest at the Bahrain race.
"We are not comparing too much the times in winter or making many predictions for these first races," Alonso stoically grumbled. "We have just been concentrating on our programme to try to be as prepared a possible for the first race.
"I think the four teams - Red Bull, Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari - any of the four teams can be a favourite for this race and for the first part of the championship with, I am sure, some teams also like Sauber and Force India, they will have a very good race as well."
Alonso added that the return of Schumacher hadn't altered his belief that the German is the greatest F1 driver of all time.
"I really think that," he said when asked about his earlier comments calling Schumacher the best ever, "If you see the World Championships that Michael has it's something that is impossible to repeat and part of the history in our sport, as I said.
"Looking at the numbers, Grand Prix wins, pole positions, championships etc, I think we all agree that Michael is the best ever, so I'm happy that he's here and as I said, hopefully winning a championship or winning a Grand Prix with Michael on the track has more value, so we will try."
Schumacher himself, who won an unprecedented five consecutive titles between 2000 and 2004, added that he felt that he was in a position to compete, but was one of eight drivers who could eventually walk away with the title.
"Basically, I think there are the four main teams that you're looking at and in all those cars – so you're talking about a potential eight drivers, seven around me that I have to look out for," he rambled.
"Four of them are sitting here right now and there are three more that aren't here right now. It's very tough to mention which is the one, but it doesn't matter who it is, because you're focused on the one that it is."
Massa was also asked some questions, but said little of any interest.
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