BIC begins final 30-day countdown

Manama : Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) begins today its final 30-day countdown to the region’s biggest weekend of sport and entertainment – the Formula 1 2018 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.

Taking place from April 6 to 8, the highly anticipated desert racing spectacle marks the second of 21 rounds in the 2018 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

The weekend’s on-track events will be highlighted by the 57-lap night race. Off the track, the live performance featuring legendary musician Carlos Santana has gotten everyone talking and pumped for the big Friday night concert.

This year’s Bahrain Grand Prix will flag off at 6.10pm, 10 minutes later than its regular start time. Twenty of the world’s most popular star drivers will be lining up on the grid representing 10 of motorsport’s leading international racing teams.

Amongst them will be last year’s winner at BIC, Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari, along with defending World champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes.

Aside from Formula 1, there will also be plenty of racing in the two support series, namely the FIA Formula 2 Championship and the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East.

Formula 2 is widely accepted to be the chief feeder series to Formula 1. It will be holding the opening round of its 2018 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Porsche GT3 Cup is the biggest and most popular one-make motor racing championship in the entire region. It has been the number one choice of the Arab world’s most promising circuit racing drivers to broaden their racing experience in a professionally run series. The series will be holding its sixth and final round of its 2017/2018 campaign.

Off the track, one of the biggest attractions will be the live performance of Santana.

Also as part of the entertainment, race-goers will have a trio of extreme rides to choose from, including a Reverse Bungee, a SCAD (Suspended Catch Air Device) Freefall and a Sky Coaster.  Further entertainment will be seen at the Circus Stage, and from the Roaming Acts and Street Musicians and Dancers.

Young children will be able to enjoy a wide selection of engaging activities, all within a massive tent erected in BIC’s Formula 1 Village.

Tickets to this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix can be purchased at the BIC stand at Bahrain City Centre. They can also be bought online at www.bahraingp.com or by calling the BIC Hotline on +973-17-450000.