BIC, Sakhir – Formula One’s star drivers began arriving in Bahrain today ahead of this weekend’s 2015 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) is set to host the mega event from Friday to Sunday (Editor’s note: April 17-18-19) in Sakhir, and the Kingdom is getting all geared up for another spectacular showcase of racing and entertainment.
Among the first group of high-profile racers touching down in the Kingdom today were defending Drivers’ World Champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes and former World Champion Jenson Button of McLaren.
Others to reach Bahrain were Valtteri Bottas of Williams, Daniil Kvyat of Red Bull, and Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Jr. of Toro Rosso.
The remainder of the 20-driver field that is expected to line up for Sunday’s floodlit Bahrain Grand Prix will be touching down in the Kingdom over the next few days.
Staff members from the participating race teams and officials from Formula One and the Federation International de l’Automobile have also started to arrive.
Meanwhile, preparations went on circuit-wide in Sakhir as the days continued to count down towards the nation’s biggest event.
This year’s Bahrain Grand Prix will be the fourth of 19 races on the 2015 FIA Formula One World Championship. It will be the second successive year that the race will be held under floodlights, making for a brilliant spectacle for race fans who are both attending the event and those watching on live television from around the world.
Formula One action in Sakhir gets underway on Friday with a pair of hour-and-a-half long practice sessions. A third practice will be held Saturday prior to Qualifying at 6pm. The Bahrain Grand Prix will then flag off at 6pm on Sunday for a 57-lap battle under the stars.
Racing will also be held all weekend in the pair of supporting championships, including the GP2 Series and the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East.
Tickets continue to be available and fans who have yet to buy theirs are advised to do so as soon as possible to avoid any disappointment.
Ticket costs range from BD150 apiece for seating along BIC’s Main Grandstand to BD60 each for seats on BIC’s University or Victory Grandstands.
The Main Grandstand is the ideal location to enjoy all the Grand Prix action. It overlooks the start and finish line, the main straight, the Formula One Pit Lane and the post-race podium.
The University Grandstand is located opposite turns two and three, and it offers views of the very exciting Michael Schumacher Corner, turns nine and 10, and the back straight. The Victory Grandstand, on the other hand, overlooks the last section of the track, including the final corner and the back straight.
Tickets can also be purchased for seating along the Batelco Grandstand for BD120 apiece as well as the Turn One Grandstand for BD100 each. The Batelco Grandstand offers a fantastic panoramic view of the inner part of the circuit, including the famous “desert loops” while being located right above the support race pit lane. The Turn One Grandstand overlooks the highly exciting Michael Schumacher corner, where plenty of action happens especially at the very start of the race when the field slithers through and the drivers attempt to avoid contact while either improving or keeping their positions.
Certain discounts are available for the groups of individuals. Children aged three to 12 years old can get 50 per cent off on a ticket, while school students aged 13 to 17 years old can get a 25 per cent discount. University students can get 10 per cent off, while senior citizens aged 60 and above along with people with special needs can get 25per cent discount.
All those with tickets to the Bahrain Grand Prix will be able to enjoy three whole days of top-class motor racing as well as plenty of off-track family friendly entertainment, headlined by a spectacular live performance by international hip-hop superstar Pitbull.
