MOTORSPORT – FORMULA One is “in its best place ever” and Bahrain has greatly benefited from the boost in worldwide popularity motorsport’s top flight has experienced over the last few years.
This was highlighted yesterday by Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) chief executive officer Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, who added that the kingdom’s new generation of passionate fans has helped further fuel the success of the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
“For us, it’s been a tremendous journey – what has happened in F1, I think it’s in its best place ever,” Shaikh Salman told national media on the sidelines of BIC’s official launch Press conference last night for Bahrain’s 2026 grand prix spectacle, taking place from April 10 to 12 as the fourth round of the new F1 season.
“The fans have increased tremendously – I think 12 per cent, year on year – and from 2024 to 2025, it was over 800 million fans.
“F1 is in a very good place, and we have also seen that translate into Bahrain. The people that used to come in 2004 as kids are now bringing their kids to the race. We have a generation of passion that has grown within this sport, and this is why the numbers are selling out.
“We have been selling out for the past three or four years now and hopefully we will do the same this year. It’s all because of that passion, so we’re very lucky and we just have to put on the show now and the people will enjoy.”
Shaikh Salman stressed on the significance of Bahrain’s hosting of F1 Aramco Pre-Season Testing 2026, which flags off today at BIC, especially with the biggest rule changes in F1 history coming into effect this campaign, which he described as being “a question mark” due to its unpredictability.
“This test is quite special because it’s six days, and usually it’s three days,” Shaikh Salman explained. “The teams have a lot of work to do – it’s a question mark and it’s very exciting.”
Testing is being held in Bahrain from today to Friday and then again from February 18 to 20.
The 2026 F1 season is then scheduled to get underway in Australia from March 6 to 8, with grands prix following in China and Japan before coming to Bahrain.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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