BIC stage set for start of racing in Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2021

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

All systems go for the start of racing on Friday (March 26) in the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2021 at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).

F1’s biggest stars are all looking forward to kicking off this year’s FIA Formula 1 World Championship at “The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East”, and all eyes from around the world will be on Sakhir for the first of the season’s record 23 rounds.

Two-time F1 World Champion Fernando Alonso, who is making a return to the top flight with Alpine after last racing with McLaren in 2018, said ahead of the race weekend: “It’s a good track with a mixture of corner speeds and long straights. Overtaking is possible here and this means it usually provides an exciting race on Sunday.

McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo shares Alonso’s sentiments. “It's an exciting circuit with a few big braking zones and plenty of opportunities for overtaking,” he said, adding: “Racing at dusk is always cool and brings an added challenge to the weekend.”

The meeting’s main event is the 57-lap night race on Sunday when sparks will fly as F1’s 20-car field battles it out over 57 laps of high-octane thrills.

Before then, an action-packed programme of racing can be enjoyed. Day one on Friday will be headlined by the two-hour-long F1 practice sessions, the first of which takes place in daylight from 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm, followed by the second being held under BIC’s bright floodlights from 6 pm to 7 pm.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is excited to see where his team stands in the F1 pecking order to start the new year. “I like the Bahrain track and it will be exciting to see our performance. It's time to see who has got what,” he said.

Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi underlines the importance of getting the championship off on the right foot. “We all know how crucial the start of the season is: last year, we were able to score points right at the first race and they proved very important for the rest of the campaign, so the aim is to once again start with the right foot and boost the team ahead of this important year,” he said.

There is plenty more racing to look forward to throughout the weekend, as supporting F1 are the FIA Formula 2 Championship and the Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East. Both series will also be out on track Friday with Practices and Qualifying.

F2 will be holding the opening round of its 2021 campaign this weekend and the 24 competing F2 drivers will be looking to put on a show. F2 will be staging three races at BIC, with two 23-lap Sprints on the Saturday of the Grand Prix followed by a 32-lap Feature on a Sunday.

 Meanwhile, the Porsche Sprint Challenge ME will be holding its 2020/2021 season’s third and final round.

The first two meetings also took place at BIC, both supporting Bahrain’s F1 double-header in 2020. 

Two more races are to be held, each over 11 laps, with the first on the Saturday of this year’s event followed by the second on a Sunday. 

The second sprint will be a memorial race, dedicated to motorsport legend, the late Walter Lechner, who was a great friend to BIC and the Bahraini motorsport community, having established the one-make Porsche championship in 2009.

Tickets to the year’s F1 weekend are still available for all vaccinated or COVID-19 recovered individuals. They are being sold at a single discounted price of BD100 across stands for the three-day event. 

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 the BIC 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. 

Aside from all 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 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.

Friday’s Schedule

Time  Championship  Session

11.55 am Porsche Sprint Challenge ME  First Practice

1.05 pm Formula 2  Practice

2.30 pm Formula 1  First Practice

4.30 pm Formula 2  Qualifying

6 pm Formula 1  Second Practice

7.25 pm Porsche Sprint Challenge ME  Second Practice