Formula for excitement

Manama : The Formula 1 2018 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix weekend is set to feature non-stop racing on all three days of the motorsport spectacle.

Taking place April 6 to 8 at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir, the top flight’s one and only desert night race is once again set to be the focus of attention from all across the globe.

While Formula 1 remains the top attraction, there will also be plenty of exciting action in the two top-class support series: the FIA Formula 2 Championship and the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East.

Formula 2 is widely accepted to be the chief feeder series to Formula 1, with many of its graduates moving on to the pinnacle of motor racing after honing their skills at this level.

Formula 2 will be staging the opening round of its 2018 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix. There will be two races, including a feature race on the Saturday of the weekend followed by a sprint race on the Sunday.

The new campaign is set to feature 12 rounds in all, with each meeting running in conjunction with a Formula 1 Grand Prix.

There will be 20 cars on the grid representing 10 teams, including ART Grand Prix, Russian Time, Pertamina Prema Theodore Racing, DAMS, MP Motorsport, Trident, BWT Arden, Campos Vexatec Racing, Carlin and Charouz Racing
System.

Last year’s champion was Monegasque Charles Leclerc, who has since joined Formula 1 team Sauber, continuing the tradition of successful F2 drivers moving up to the top of the motorsport ladder.

Meanwhile, the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East is the biggest and most popular one-make motor racing championship in the entire region.

Since its inception, it has been the number one choice of the Arab world’s most promising circuit racing drivers to broaden their racing experience in a professionally run series.

Drivers race in identical Porsche GT3 Cup Car 911s, supplied by BIC-based orgaisers Lechner Racing.

Supporting this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix, the Porsche GT3 Cup is holding its sixth and final round of its 2017/2018 campaign. There will be two races during the weekend, one each on Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets to the Formula 1 2018 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix can be purchased at the BIC stand at Bahrain City Centre. They can also be bought online at www.bahraingp.com or by calling the BIC Hotline on +973-17-450000. The prices are amongst the most competitive for any event on the Formula 1 calendar, with prices held at the same level for the fifth consecutive year.

Tickets can be purchased for seating at the Main Grandstand, Batelco Grandstand, Turn One Grandstand, University Grandstands and Victory Grandstands. Main Grandstand seats cost BD150 each for the three days, while Batelco Grandstand tickets are BD120 and Turn One tickets BD100. University and Victory Grandstand tickets cost BD60.

For the first time, fans will be able to purchase a single Friday ticket for the Batelco Grandstand at BD60, or they can buy a two-day ticket for Saturday and Sunday, also for the Batelco Grandstand for BD100.