Formula 1 stars arrive in Bahrain

Published April 11th, 2017 - 05:54 GMT
Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) hosts the sporting and entertainment spectacle from Friday to Sunday in Sakhir.
Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) hosts the sporting and entertainment spectacle from Friday to Sunday in Sakhir.

A number of Formula 1’s star drivers arrived in Bahrain yesterday ahead of this weekend’s 2017 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.

Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) hosts the sporting and entertainment spectacle from Friday to Sunday in Sakhir.

Among those seen arriving at Bahrain International Airport were Red Bull Racing star Max Verstappen, Mercedes ace Valtteri Bottas, Force India’s Esteban Ocon and Renault’s Jolyon Palmer.

They were received upon reaching the island by BIC’s Meet and Greet staff, who assisted them in their arrival formalities and made sure they receive a warm welcome to the country.

Aside from the drivers, Formula 1 personnel and other members of the international racing community continued to arrive in Bahrain.

The stage is set for the third round of this year’s FIA Formula 1 World Championship, and BIC is getting all geared up to once again be the centre of global attention.

This year’s Bahrain Grand Prix will be the event’s 13th edition and fourth as a night race.

Meanwhile, more than 50 of the world’s most supremely talented race car drivers outside of Formula 1 will be lining up on the grid at BIC as part of this weekend’s support programme.

They will be competing in three different championships, including the FIA Formula 2 Championship, the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East and the TCR International Series.

Newly rebranded as Formula 2, or F2, after being known as the GP2 Series since 2005, this single-seater championship is widely accepted to be the chief feeder series to Formula 1. It will be holding the first round of its new 2017 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The F2 grid will include 20 cars, representing 10 teams.

The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East is based on the highly successful Porsche formula for racing. Launched in 2009, the championship is in its eighth season. It features the region’s leading drivers, all competing in the powerful and dynamic Porsche 911 GT3 Cup on the Middle East’s world-class circuits.

The TCR International Series will be holding the second of 10 rounds in its 2017 season at Bahrain. The championship kicked off on April 1 and 2 at Rustavi International Motorpark in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Seven leading brands of car manufacturers are to be represented at in the series’ races in Bahrain – Audi, Volkswagen, Honda, SEAT, Alfa Romeo, Opel and Kia.

Tickets to this year’s Grand Prix spectacle continue to be available. Tickets cost BD150 for the Main Grandstand, BD120 for the Batelco Grandstand, BD100 for the Turn One Grandstand, and BD60 apiece for the University Grandstands and Victory Grandstands.

All tickets are for all three days of the Formula 1 weekend.

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