*** ----> Bahrain International Circuit hosts today first track activities ahead of Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2021 this weekend | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Bahrain International Circuit hosts today first track activities ahead of Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2021 this weekend

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The biggest event of the year is finally here and the first track activities of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2021 are set to take place today at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir.

Many of F1’s star drivers and team members have already returned to the Kingdom ahead of tomorrow’s start to the race weekend, which follows a two-week break after the completion of F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain earlier this month.

Now, the final lead-up to this year’s FIA F1 World Championship is underway, and it includes a number of important activities today that need to be undertaken by F1’s teams, drivers and race officials.

The teams will be out on their customary track walk from 12 noon.

This gives the sport’s elite racing talents and their engineers a chance to examine BIC’s 5.412-kilometre Grand Prix circuit closely in order to gain any additional all-important data they will need over the weekend.

Officials from F1 and the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) will also be conducting a track inspection and high-speed track test later in the day with the FIA Safety and Medical Cars.

These will be lapping the track and the necessary checks on all timing, marshalling and broadcasting systems will be done.

Tomorrow’s start of F1 action will begin with the first hour-long Free Practice session at 2.30 pm.

Practice two will then be held from 6 pm later that evening, and then the third and final F1 practice will be on Saturday starting at 3 pm.

The first Qualifying session of the season will take place under BIC’s bright floodlights from 6 pm on Saturday, which will set the stage and the grid for the much-anticipated 57-lap night race on Sunday that will flag off the new F1 campaign.

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Tickets to the race weekend are still available for all COVID-19 vaccinated or recovered individuals who are interested in attending the motorsport extravaganza.

They are being sold at a single discounted price of BD100 across stands for all three days.

Comprehensive measures will be in place at the circuit at all times to ensure spectators can enjoy the excitement of F1 in a safe environment.

Tickets can be purchased online at BIC’s official website, bahraingp.com, or at BIC’s stand at City Centre Bahrain, located on the ground floor near gate number three in the West Court.

The stand is operational every day between 10 am and 10 pm.

Throughout the coming weekend, F1 racing will be complemented by a stellar support programme featuring the FIA Formula 2 Championship, which will be hosting its first round of its 2021 campaign, and the Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East, which will be staging its 2020/2021 season-finale.

The second of the meeting’s two Porsche sprints will be a memorial race, dedicated to late motorsport legend Walter Lechner, who was a true friend to BIC and the Bahraini motorsport community.

He was the driving force in the establishment and running of the Porsche Sprint Challenge ME, ever since its first race in 2009.

Aside from the racing, attendees will be able to enjoy a wide array of fun activities across BIC’s F1 Village vending area.

These include a selection of wild outdoor rides and fun activities for the whole family.

All these attractions and so much more await everyone at BIC this year’s F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix weekend.

The entire circuit will be bustling with excitement, all while ensuring that the event proceeds in a safe environment and in line with government health advice.

For full eligibility criteria for those wishing to buy tickets to attend the race, or for other information on the highly anticipated event, visit bahraingp.com.