Bahrain International Circuit, Beyon Money inaugurate fan village ahead of F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2024

TDT | Manama                                                 

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) and Beyon Money officially opened last night the Beyon Money BIC Fan Village at Block 338 in Adliya, held as part of the exciting lead-up to the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2024.

The two-week festival, welcoming fans daily until 27 February, is a colourful celebration of Formula 1, as the final countdown continues to the Kingdom’s highly anticipated grand prix weekend. An official inauguration ceremony was held at the village.

In attendance were Beyon Chairman Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, BIC Chairman Arif Rahimi, BIC Chief Executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Beyon and Batelco Chief Executive Officer Mikkel Vinter, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority Chief Executive Officer Sara Buheji, and Beyon Money Chief Executive Officer Roberto Mancone.

The Beyon Money BIC Fan Village is open from 6pm to 12am on weekdays and from 1pm to 12am on weekends, with daily schedules of concerts and entertainment published on BIC’s social accounts. All are welcome and entrance is completely free of charge. The daily entertainment includes live performances from a huge mix of bands and DJs, Grand Prix activations such as racing simulators and show cars, a Beyon Money stand, a village market, roaming family entertainment, street artists, a BIC sales and merchandise stand, a 20th anniversary showcase of BIC’s racing history, and so much more.

Proud

Shaikh Salman commented: “We are proud to be partnering once again with Beyon Money, and with the support of Bapco Energies, to bring the Beyon Money BIC Fan Village back for another fantastic two weeks ahead of our grand prix weekend.

“Our race this year is extra-special, being the Kingdom of Bahrain’s 20th anniversary in Formula 1, and there’s no better way to get the country geared up for the occasion than with this incredible fan festival.

“The aim of the fan festival, now in its third year, is to bring the experience of F1 into the heart of Manama. It’s a great place for those who are new to the sport to get a feeling for what we do, but also for avid F1 fans to get a preview of what is to come.”

Mancone said: “We are delighted to once again join hands with BIC as the title sponsor for this thrilling two weeks of entertainment leading up to the annual Bahrain Grand Prix. “This event unites thousands of passionate F1 fans of all ages from across the country daily. We anticipate reconnecting with our customers and also meeting new customers at our Beyon Money booth, and very much look forward to enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of the occasion.”

Buheji said: “This year we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Formula 1 in Bahrain. The F1 season starts in Bahrain, and this is something amazing. The village is in its third edition. It’s beautiful, it’s huge, and there are so many activities. We hope that everyone enjoys it.”

Legacy

BIC Chief Commercial Officer Sherif Al Mahdy highlighted that fans will be able to experience the growing legacy Bahrain has built at the highest levels of motorsport over the past two decades. “Being our 20th anniversary this year, we have made the festival bigger and to be able to accommodate more people,” Al Mahdy told TDT.

“The theme is about our 20 years in Formula 1 and about making history, and this is what you can see all across the village. “I would like to thank Beyon Money, what they are doing with us is amazing; and Bapco Energies as well, we are really delighted to have their support. Thank you to the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, who are very supportive.”

Support

The fan festival is once again being supported by title partner Beyon Money, part of Beyon Group, which is a financial services super app, enabling customers to connect to their bank accounts, access financial insights to observe transactions and spending habits, use their prepaid card all over the world, and send money abroad instantly.