publish time

28/02/2024

author name Arab Times

publish time

28/02/2024

Williams driver Logan Sargeant of the US steers his car for a Formula One pre season test at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. (AP)

MANAMA, Feb 28, (KUNA): Bahrain International Circuit Marks 20 Years of Formula 1 Excellence with the Slogan '20 Years of a Modern Classic'.The Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) gears up for the 2024 Formula 1 season, celebrating two decades of racing prowess from February 29 to March 2. The Formula 1 Grand Prix, a premier event in single-seat racing, takes center stage as BIC hosts a series of events and promotions, featuring enticing prizes that captivate a global audience.

Streets in Bahrain are adorned with banners and the rallying cry of racing in anticipation of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix (Formula 1). BIC continues its impressive track record with the Bahrain Grand Prix, unfolding on a 5.4 km-long circuit where drivers navigate 57 laps of intense competition.Renowned for its quality meeting the highest international standards, BIC has garnered accolades such as the International Automobile Federation (FIA) recognition and the worldwide award for best advertising. Serving as the opening round in the new season calendar with 24 races, the F1 event kicks off with a test lap before the main race, prohibiting overtaking to maximize engine and brake performance.

The audience can expect exhilarating moments from the starting line to the first turn, witnessing racers vying for the lead, with the risk of collisions in the tightly contested race. Each racer follows a meticulously planned strategy devised by their team after studying the circuit.Racers undergo rigorous physical, mental, and psychological preparation, including specialized exercises for chest and neck muscles to endure the weight of the head and helmet. The demanding conditions inside the car, reaching temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius, lead to racers losing approximately three kilograms of weight per race due to heat generated from various sources.

Since 2004, Bahrain has proudly hosted the F1 Grand Prix, becoming the first country in the region to do so. From the introduction of the night race in 2014 to the thrilling opening season in 2021, the circuit has consistently delivered standout races.In July 2023, F1 announced the 2024 calendar, with BIC, hailed as the 'home of motorsport in the Middle East,' commemorating its 20th anniversary with the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix as the season opener. The race, scheduled for Saturday evening, allows for logistical preparations for the subsequent race in Saudi Arabia, also set for a Saturday. The 2024 calendar comprises 24 races, concluding in Abu Dhabi on December 8."