Porsche Carrera Cup to bring regional flavour to F1 weekend

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2025 is the ultimate showcase of top-class international motorsport, and the region will be well-represented on the biggest stage with the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East (PCCME).

The Kingdom of Bahrain’s highly anticipated F1 weekend takes place 11 to 13 April at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir. The PCCME will be part of a stellar support race programme that will be ensuring non-stop thrills on track at ‘The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East’.

Proven path

The PCCME is a leading onemake championship that is well-established as the proven path for regional drivers to accelerate their careers in motor racing.

Launched in 2009, it is in its 16th season. Over the years, the PCCME has gained recognition as one of the most professional and successful championships in the Middle East, and in 2023 it was upgraded to the PCCME, making it one of 12 Carrera Cups in the world.

Participants compete in identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 992) cars, ensuring a level playing field where skill and strategy are paramount.

The PCCME will be making its second appearance at BIC in its 2024/2025 campaign. This round in support of F1 will be the fifth and penultimate meeting on the calendar, and it follows the season-opener held in Sakhir last November.

Since then, the championship has made stops in Lusail in Qatar, and in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE. Following the upcoming meeting in Bahrain, the PCCME will bring the curtain down on this season with the finale in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Championship leader

Heading into F1 weekend at BIC, Janne Stiak from Germany is the overall championship leader with 195 points. Briton James Wallis follows on 148 points, while countryman Angus Whiteside is third with 124 points. All three competitors are racing in the PCCME’s Pro category.

Saudi Arabia’s Saud Al Saud currently leads the ProAm class with 82 points, while Mike Mim from Bulgaria tops the Masters category with 49 points.

The PCCME’s events at F1 weekend will include two free practice sessions on the Friday at BIC on 11 April. Qualifying and the first race will then be held on Saturday, 12 April, followed by the second race on yesterday, 13 April.

This year’s F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix marks the fourth round of the 2025 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. It celebrates the 75th anniversary of both Formula 1 and Bahrain’s national carrier and grand prix title sponsor Gulf Air.

All grandstand tickets to the highly anticipated grand prix weekend have already completely sold out, including seats at the Main, Turn 1, Beyon, University, and Victory grandstands.

Hospitality option

Fans who have missed out on these seats can still get tickets to BIC’s last remaining hospitality option, The Dome by F1 Experiences, but there is only very limited availability. This is a unique way to enjoy the F1 weekend, with plenty of exclusive offerings throughout the three days.

BIC’s other hospitality options, including the Paddock Club, Corporate Lounges, and Champions Club, are all also completely sold out, so fans interested in being a part of the F1 spectacle must act fast to secure their passes to The Dome by F1 Experiences.

The Dome by F1 Experiences features a dedicated grandstand located along the Main Straight with comfortable, seat-back style seating. Fans can enjoy exceptional views of the Podium and pit entry, and also see the cars as they navigate the final turn before accelerating down the track.

The package also includes complimentary lunch dishes, lite bites, refreshments and live performances by DJs, roaming entertainers and more between track sessions.

Off-track attractions As part of the off-track attractions for the whole family is a series of live concerts on all three nights of F1 weekend.

On the Friday night on 11 April, multi-platinum DJ and producer Fadil El Ghoul, better known as R3HAB, will be hitting the stage at BIC. International dance music superstar Peggy Gou will then be putting on a show on the Saturday night on 12 April. Then, on Sunday night on 13 April, Grammy-nominated artist, DJ, and producer Axwell will be bringing the curtain down on the grand prix weekend with a spectacular post-race celebration off the track.

All those with tickets to F1 weekend will be able to enjoy the concert series at no extra cost.

Also, the fan-favourite Ferris Wheel is back, the world-renowned Circus Cortex will be amazing race-goers, there will be a Kids Race Fest for children, and so much more!

Charity auction

A special charity auction has been launched by BIC in the lead-up to F1 weekend, aiming to raise money for the Royal Humanitarian Foundation. With the generosity of many of the F1 teams, BIC has gathered an incredible selection of unique items of F1 memorabilia along with some amazing donations from Gulf Air. The auction is now live and will continue until race day on 13 April.

It can be accessed on the mazad.app under the ‘BIC Memorabilia’ category. Furthermore, fans can now enjoy all that is on offer at the Beyon Money BIC Fan Village, open daily at Block 338 in Adliya until 9 April.

Entrance to the village is free of charge, and it is a celebration of motorsport as it brings the spirit of the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix to the public, in the heart of Bahrain’s capital.

The entertainment includes daily live performances from a mix of bands and DJs, motorsport activations such as racing simulators and a giant Scalextric, an F1 show car, reaction games, Beyon Money activations, a photo booth, a craft village, roaming family entertainment, street artists, various kids’ attractions, and so much more.

The experience is open every day from 6pm to 12am on weekdays and from 1pm to 12am on weekends.

For more information on the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2025 or other events and experiences at BIC, visit bahraingp. com, call the BIC Hotline, or follow the circuit’s social media channels.