Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) is all ready to host today the first of the weekend’s events in the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2020.
In preparation for the start of racing tomorrow at ‘The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East’ in Sakhir, a number of important activities need to be undertaken by the F1 teams, drivers and race officials.
The teams will be able to go for their customary track walk today afternoon around BIC’s 5.412-kilometre Grand Prix circuit. This gives a chance for the sport’s star drivers and their engineers to examine the track up close and gain additional data for their car set-ups.
There will also be system checks conducted later in the day by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and F1, along with a track inspection and high-speed track test involving the FIA Safety and Medical Cars. These will be lapping the track and the necessary tests on all timing, marshalling and broadcasting systems will be conducted.
An online F1 team managers’ meeting is also set for today, along with a Press conference for the F1 drivers.
Tomorrow’s start to F1 racing will include two 90-minute Practice sessions, scheduled to take place at 2pm and 6pm, respectively. A third 60-minute Practice will be held Saturday at 2pm, to be followed by Qualifying at 5pm. That will determine the grid positions for Sunday’s 57-lap night race, set for a 5.10pm start under BIC’s bright floodlights.
This year’s Bahrain Grand Prix marks the 15th round of the 17-race 2020 F1 World Championship. It is the front-end of the kingdom’s first-ever F1 double-header.
It will be followed on December 4 to 6 by the Rolex Sakhir Grand Prix, which will provide an all-new spectacle for motorsport fans around the world as racing will take place along BIC’s 3.543km Outer Track, which will be used for a competitive event for the very first time as a completely different layout from this weekend’s Grand Prix circuit. The Sakhir Grand Prix will feature 87 laps, which is the highest lap count of the season.
Aside from F1 action, this weekend’s Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix will also feature racing in the FIA Formula 2 Championship and the Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East.
For more details, visit bahraingp.com.