Formula 1 roars to life at Bahrain International Circuit!

TDT | Manama                                                          

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Lewis Hamilton was the fastest man of the day yesterday as the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2024 got underway at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), kicking off the Kingdom’s 20th anniversary celebrations in F1.

The seven-time world champion led Mercedes teammate George Russell to the top of the timesheet in the hour-long evening practice session, held under BIC’s bright, state-of-the-art floodlights. Earlier in the day, Daniel Ricciardo had put RB in first place in the opening practice classification.

Racing thrills and the grand prix’s biggest-ever off-track entertainment programme continue today at BIC. Gates are scheduled to open to fans from 9am to 11pm. Fans attending the grand prix today will be treated to a live performance by multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning artist, DJ and producer Zedd.

Zedd is scheduled to take to the main stage of BIC’s vending area, located behind the Main Grandstand, at 9.30pm. All those with tickets to the F1 weekend will be able to enjoy the concert at no extra charge. Zedd’s concert will be followed tomorrow by a post-race performance of superstar DJ and producer Diplo.

Also part of today’s off-track entertainment will be the continuation of the live, on-stage interviews with F1 drivers and other popular figures in the sport.

Interactive

These interactive sessions for fans are set to be held on the vending area main stage. The first stars scheduled to appear today are Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon at 1pm.

At 1.50pm, Hamilton will be taking to the stage and then will be joined by Mercedes teammate George Russell at 1.55pm. At 2.05pm, the Haas pair of Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen will be interviewed, along with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and three-time defending world champion Max Verstappen.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown will be joining the sessions at 4.40pm, and then later on Friday evening, Mercedes reserve driver Fred Vesti will have his live interview at 6.10pm. That will be followed by ex-F1 great and grand prix winner Jean Alesi at 6.20pm, and then the final on-stage interview of the weekend will be held with Red Bull and RB reserve driver Liam Lawson at 6.30pm.

Timings

Fans are invited to follow the timings and be at the vending area main stage on time so as not to miss out on seeing and hearing from their favourite F1 stars up close.

Aside from the concerts and on-stage interviews, fans can also enjoy plenty of family entertainment today and tomorrow including thrilling carnival rides; kids’ shows featuring some of their favourite Nickelodeon characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Paw Patrol and Shimmer and Shine; an extreme circus; roaming entertainers; an F1 Fanzone bringing race-goers closer to a unique F1 experience; and so much more.