Bahrain sprint race possibility discussed: BIC chief

TDT | Manama                                                     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain has looked into the possibility of holding a Formula 1 sprint race as part of future F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix weekends. This was revealed by Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) Chief Executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa during the question-and-answer session at the official public launch for this year’s grand prix, held at The Avenues Bahrain last night.

When asked by a fan about the chance of having a sprint race in 2025, Shaikh Salman replied that Bahrain’s traditional place early in the F1 calendar makes it difficult to hold the sprint here.

“When you’re early in the season, it is when [the teams] are still learning the new cars,” Shaikh Salman explained. Legendary F1 commentator David Croft, who hosted yesterday’s launch, agreed.

“Teams are reluctant to have a sprint for the first race of the calendar because there is so much to learn about the cars,” he said. Despite this, Shaikh Salman confirmed the possibility of holding an F1 sprint race at BIC has been discussed.

“We have talked about this, but it’s not just us who decides, it’s also the teams and Formula 1. We will see,” Shaikh Salman said. Croft voiced his support for the idea.

He said: “Bahrain would be a great destination for a sprint race. I think it’s a brilliant track [for one]. Fingers crossed for the future.” An F1 sprint is an additional event to the grand prix weekend held only in select rounds.

This season’s F1 calendar features six venues that will be hosting a sprint race. They include Shanghai in April, Miami in May, Spielberg in June, Austin in October, and Sao Paulo and Lusail, both in November. Brazil is set to host its fourth Sprint weekend, with Austria to host its third, Austin and Qatar returning for a second year, and China and Miami joining the line-up for the first time.