TRACK ACTION

Gulf Insider at Bahrain Grand Prix 2023

Nearly 100,000 people gathered at Sakhir’s Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) earlier in March to witness the Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2023. In its 19-year history, BIC, fondly known as the “Home of Motorsports in the Middle East” broke its own records with a completely sold-out weekend and the highest single-day attendance on race day. An unprecedented turnout of nearly 100,000 spectators bore witness to the high-energy, high-speed racing weekend.

It’s no wonder that the Bahrain Grand Prix is perhaps the biggest event on the Kingdom’s calendar every year. Racing fans from all over the world make their annual trips to the island to witness the opening race of the season, which sets the tone for the year-round racing action. They were the first to witness the new cars, new driver line-ups and the anticipation that the first race of a new season brings.

The atmosphere was festive, with fans getting to see their favourite racing drivers up close, enjoy a huge lineup of roaming live performances, stand in queues to enter a haunted house, and battle it out in teams with race car simulators.

For VIPs with access to the exclusive Paddock Club, there was a chance to walk up and down the pitlane watching the team engineers and technicians practice their pit stops (an interval during the race to change the car’s tyres). The paddock was electric with the who’s-who of Bahrain making their appearance at team garages and wishing their favourite drivers the best for the race.

HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa was seen in his element, driving his buggy around the paddock and engaging with team principals before the race started.

The 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix gave the Red Bull Racing team a reason to celebrate as Max Verstappen, the reigning two-time world champion grabbed his first victory in Bahrain after starting from the pole position. His teammate, Sergio Perez came second giving the team a much-needed boost after their double early retirements in the 2022 season opener here.

Last year’s Bahrain winner, Charles Leclerc on the other hand was left without any points at the end of the race as engine issues forced him back to the Ferrari garage mid-race. His teammate, Carlos Sainz, who took second place in 2022, managed to finish the race with points but missed out on a chance at the podium.

However, the unlikely star of the weekend was Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, driving his first race with the team this year. In his 22nd year as a Formula One driver, the two-time world champion was on everyone’s radar after taking the lead in the practice sessions and finally fixing his spot on the podium with a third-place finish.

It was in 2004 that the circuit witnessed its first-ever Formula One race where Ferrari emerged as the winner and Michael Schumacher took the victory stand. Since then, not only has the sport evolved to accommodate regulations, faster cars, and intense racing action, but its carnival-like atmosphere has also become a hallmark of the sport itself.

The popularity of Formula One across the world has been growing in recent years, especially with a new generation of fans emerging in the Middle East. With four races on this year’s calendar (Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar), F1 is attracting a heavy footfall of tourists and motorsport fans to the region.

Anticipation for the 2024 Formula One Grand Prix in Bahrain has already skyrocketed. Bahrain International Circuit will also be celebrating its 20th anniversary coinciding with the race. With tickets selling out completely this year, it is an exciting time for the island to see what the 2024 season brings with it.