Intense, wheel-to-wheel racing flags off today at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) as the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2024 kick starts the new F1 season. The race weekend is celebrating “20 Years of a Modern Classic”, showcasing the Kingdom of Bahrain’s landmark 20th anniversary in F1.
It will be headlined by the first-ever Saturday night race in Sakhir, making for an additional spectacle to an already historic occasion. Excitement and anticipation have been building all over the world for the event, especially following pre-season testing held at BIC.
Reigning F1 constructors’ world champions Red Bull are now all set for their title-defence. Spearheaded by three-time defending F1 drivers’ world champion Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, they will be looking to continue their dominance from a record-breaking 2023 campaign, in which they won 21 of the 22 grands prix, with Verstappen claiming 19 of those victories—including his very first one in the Kingdom. “I a m looking forward to the weekend ahead in Bahrain,” Verstappen said.
“We had a good few testing days and learned a lot from the car. “Of course, we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves and we still need to make sure we do everything right to have a strong first weekend.
“Everyone has done plenty of laps here in Bahrain, so hopefully shouldn’t encounter too many surprises in terms of setup direction for the week ahead. All in all, I am excited to get the season underway and start racing again.”
Added Perez: “It’s finally time to go racing and I am really looking forward to this weekend. We had a solid week of testing, we maximised everything we possibly could and the car felt really good, I was happy with it and we feel the reliability is there.
“It’s always interesting to see how things change on the first weekend, going into qualifying and then raceday with a lot of new concepts on the grid, a lot of other teams look strong but it’s so hard to tell from testing.”
Track walk
Ahead of Thursday’s start to racing, F1’s superstar drivers conducted their customary pre-event track walk, accompanied by team members around BIC’s 5.412-kilometre Grand Prix circuit. F1, International Automobile Federation (FIA), BIC, and Bahrain Motor Federation officials also completed their behind-the-scenes work, including a track inspection; checks on all timing, marshalling, and broadcasting systems; a high-speed track test involving both the F1 safety and medical cars going out onto the circuit; and other tasks.
These essential activities help ensure the highest levels of safety for all participants this weekend, and the smooth running of all the racing action. F1’s two hour-long practice sessions today will be held in both daytime conditions and under lights at night.
The first is scheduled for a 2.30pm start, followed by the second at 6pm. F1 is set to be joined on track by the FIA Formula 2 Championship, the FIA Formula 3 Championship, and the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East (PCCME).
F2 and F3 are both holding their season-opening rounds in the Kingdom, while the PCCME will be staging the fifth and penultimate meeting of its 2023/2024 campaign. All three support series will also be on track today.
F2 and F3 will each hold a practice and qualifying, while the PCCME will have two practice sessions. The PCCME will be the first out onto the circuit with practice one scheduled for a 9.45am start. Practice two will then follow in the evening starting at 7.30pm.
The F3 practice will be held at 10.55pm, and then qualifying will take place at 4pm. The F2 field will first hit the tarmac for their practice session at 12.05pm, and then qualifying will follow at 4.55pm. BIC’s grandstands have completely sold out for the F1 weekend, but fans wishing to be a part of F1 history can still take advantage of two of BIC’s hospitality options: The Dome by F1 Experiences and The Champions Club.
There is some availability in each, both of which offer exclusive experiences in an unmatched setting. The Dome by F1 Experiences and The Champions Club are specially curated hospitality options created in cooperation with F1 Experiences for the most passionate of F1 enthusiasts.
Scores of Formula 1 fans flocked to Bahrain International Circuit last night to enjoy the F1 pit-lane walk, which was open to all ticket-holders. The fans packed the pit lane and got to see the F1 teams at work in their garages, while also spotting some of the sport’s drivers, who interacted with supporters.
