FLAGS go up on the 2017 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix weekend at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir today.
While drivers begin practice, hitting speeds of more than 200mph on the track, some of the biggest names in the music industry are all set to entertain race fans off the track today and tomorrow.
F1 stars Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Räikkönen and Sebastian Vettel will battle it out for pole position tomorrow, as international superstar Enrique Iglesias headlines a concert in the vending area, followed by Grammy-nominated superstar Steve Aoki for the after-party.
Race action starts today with Formula One practice sessions at 2pm and 6pm.
The Formula Two will also hold its practice session at 11.30am, followed by the qualifiers at 8pm.
Special Drivers from the region’s own Porsche GT3 Cup Middle East will also take to the track at 12.40pm and 4.40pm.
The off-track entertainment also begins tonight with DJs Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike.
The brothers from Greece are ranked number two by DJ Mag on the 2016 Top 100 DJs list.
Last year, they released Melody with Steve Aoki and Ummet Ozcan which topped the Beatport Charts and is also the official Uefa 2016 anthem of the Belgian National Football Team.
Opening for them will be Klingande, a French DJ and tropical house producer, whose real name is Cedric Steinmyller.
Klingande is dedicated to producing unusual and mesmerising soundscapes.
Female Belgian DJ Mattn will also open the show, and has performed at a wide array of events from Privilege and Amnesia in Ibiza to exclusive venues in St Tropez and legendary festivals such as Tomorrowland.
Later tonight, DJ David Morales will perform at Coral Bay, with doors opening at 8pm.
Meanwhile, Fat Joe will be performing at Klub 360 in Elite Crystal Hotel in Juffair, with doors opening at 9pm.
Tomorrow, the race begins early with the Porsche GT3 Cup first race scheduled to start at 11.55am.
Formula Two will hold its first race at 1.10pm.
The final Formula One practice will take place at 3pm, followed by the qualifying session at 6pm.
Tomorrow night, Enrique Iglesias will perform.
The Grammy award-winning artist, widely known as the King of Latin Pop, is the son of legendary Spanish singer-songwriter Julio Iglesias.
He has sold more than 130 million albums worldwide, released 10 studio albums plus two greatest hits compilations, and is a multi-platinum artist in almost every country in the world.
Electronic dance music and Grammy-nominated superstar Steve Aoki, performing tomorrow night’s after party, has collaborated with numerous internationally renowned artists.
Most recently, last month he performed his new single with 2 Chainz at Miami Ultra Music Festival and released Just Hold On with Louis Thomlinson at the end of last year.
Off-track, celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck will be hosting an exclusive outdoor culinary event at the Four Seasons Bahrain Bay from 8pm.
Sunday’s action begins with the Formula Two’s second race at 2.15pm, followed by the Porsche GT3 Cup second race at 3.30pm.
The countdown to the big Formula One race starts at 4.30pm with a drivers’ track parade before the starting grid presentation at 4.45pm and the race itself at 6pm.
All Formula One tickets are for three-day access to the Grand Prix weekend, including all the racing and off-track entertainment and concerts.
Tickets are still on sale for the Main Grandstand (BD150), Batelco Grandstand (BD120), Turn One Grandstand (BD100) and the University and Victory Grandstands (BD60).
Tickets can be purchased at the BIC stands in City Centre Bahrain or Seef Mall, online at www.bahraingp.com or by calling the hotline on 17450000.