F1 brings international flavour to BIC

The Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2019 is set to be a massive global spectacle, with countries from all over the world being represented on the grid at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) this Friday to Sunday. A total 59 drivers will be flying the flags of 30 nations in the three racing championships hitting the tarmac in Sakhir.

They include the headlining FIA Formula 1 World Championship, which is being supported by the FIA Formula 2 Championship and the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East. Formula 1 alone will have the world’s attention focused on its 20 racers coming from 15 different countries. Many of these nations are also represented in Formula 2. Meanwhile, the Porsche GT3 Cup is set to bring in a mix of international and Middle Eastern talent to the weekend’s racing.

Drivers from various countries will be joined by Arabian Gulf aces from Oman and hosts Bahrain. Only one day remains before the official start of racing action as the global motorsport spotlight shines on Bahrain. More of Formula 1’s star drivers continued to arrive on the island ahead of the weekend. Amongst the latest Formula 1 competitors spotted at Bahrain International Airport were Mercedes ace and wining driver from the Australian Grand Prix nearly a fortnight ago Valtteri Bottas, Red Bull Racing star Max Verstappen, McLaren’s Carlos Sainz, the Toro Rosso pair of Daniil Kvyat and Alexander Albon, and Alfa Romeo Racing’s Antonio Giovinazzi.

They, along with officials from Formula 1, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), and the other participating bodies have touched down in the Kingdom of Bahrain. They were received upon reaching the country by the warm and welcoming team members of BIC’s Meet and Greet Staff. Things were not only busy at the airport. It was the same at the BIC premises, with set-up work across the circuit virtually complete ahead of the start of racing on Friday.

The unpacking of cargo weighing over 600 tonnes has been done and things have taken shape in BIC’s Formula 1 Pit Lane and the Paddock, with the team garages and bases being put up. BIC’s 5.412-kilometre Grand Prix track had already undergone its regular scrubbing, hydro-blasting, power washing and painting, as have the canopies along the grandstands and the individual seats.