The countdown to the 2024 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, which will be held at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) from February 29 to March 2, officially started yesterday with a festive launch event at The Avenues.
The three-day spectacle, which will mark the kingdom’s 20th anniversary in F1, will be the season-opener in the 2024 F1 World Championship and will feature Bahrain’s first-ever Saturday night race.
The Bahrain Grand Prix will be preceded by three days of F1 Aramco Pre-Season Testing 2024, also hosted by the BIC, from February 21-23.
A campaign, featuring the catchy slogan ‘20 Years of a Modern Classic’, was also launched at yesterday’s event which was attended by Tourism Minister Fatima Al Sairafi, along with BIC chief executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa and Gulf Air CEO Captain Waleed Al Alawi, and co-hosted by popular F1 commentator David Croft and stand-up comedian Imran Al Aradi.
“Since 2004, our presence on the global sports tourism map has been solidified, backing our initiative to make Bahrain A preferred destination for sports tourism in the Middle East and beyond,” Ms Al Sairafi told the audience.
“The impact of Formula 1 on our tourism sector is nothing short of extraordinary. In 2022, we saw a remarkable attendance of 98,000 over three days and 35,000 on the day of the race alone.
“In 2023, those numbers soared even higher, reaching 99,500 over the three-day race weekend and 36,000 on the race day itself.
“Such grand events in Bahrain not only offer a first-hand experience of the Formula 1 race but also create an immersive environment for visitors. Beyond the adrenaline-pumping excitement, these events are a golden opportunity to showcase the seamless integration and continuous development of Bahrain’s tourism sector. The array of tourist attractions, coupled with world-class facilities, reflects the nation’s commitment to providing an unforgettable experience for visitors.”
Later, Shaikh Salman explained the reasoning behind the choice of phrase in the campaign slogan.
“The idea of a modern classic is to reflect the fact that we are a modern circuit but have had the chance to create 20 years of history in the Middle East, which we are really proud of,” he said.
“I think there are many fans who might find it difficult to believe that we are 20 years old, as we are often seen as one of the ‘new’ Grands Prix. However, we are honoured to be amongst the first in a generation of modern tracks, the first in the Middle East and have had the opportunity to contribute to 20 years of racing heritage in F1.”
Off-track entertainment is part of the all-round package that the Bahrain Grand Prix proffers, Shaikh Salman added.
“We’ve got some incredible entertainment lined up for 2024 and I think there will be something on offer for all the family and I’m sure a few surprises will keep the fans thoroughly entertained on and off the track.
“The hype for this year’s race is already significant, with fans across the world wanting to come to Bahrain for the first race of 2024 and celebrate our 20th anniversary. With our race sold out in record time last year, we expect the demand to continue this year so I would urge fans to book their tickets as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, Captain Al Alawi said Gulf Air was pleased to be the title sponsor for the event again.
“We’re thrilled, once again, to be the title sponsor of this international motorsport event, now in its 20th year in the kingdom, marking a standout moment in Bahrain’s social and sporting calendar for both locals and global visitors,” he said.
“The seamless connection between aviation and motorsports is evident, sharing a commitment to implementing new technologies in high-performance domains.
“We’re honoured to support the Bahrain Grand Prix and hope all residents and visitors to Bahrain will enjoy our efforts to entertain them during this year’s historic race.”
Earlier, at the start of the event, pre-recorded video messages from F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and McLaren F1 team star Lando Norris were shown on a giant screen. Two F1 cars – one from the very first Bahrain Grand Prix in 2004 and the other, which took part in the 2023 edition – parked on both sides of the stage, were also revealed to the audience towards the end of the event to showcase how advanced the technology has become in just two decades.
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