Bahrain’s first-ever Formula 1 event to be held during Ramadan drew scores of fans from across the kingdom to the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) yesterday during the second round of pre-season testing.
While Ramadan restrictions remained in place for much of the paddock and vending area, diehard motorsport fans became amongst the first in the world to get a close look at the new 2026 F1 cars, before this year’s championship gets underway.
“We had to come out today to get a look at the new cars – I was born near Spa-Francorchamps so Formula 1 is in my blood and I want to pass that onto my children,” Belgian expatriate Nicolas Gardier, 46, told the GDN.
Mr Gardier, who lives in Janabiya, was in the paddock with his wife Gina, 44, as well as their children eight-year-old Noah Ellis and 11-year-old Gabrielle.
Their goal was to get autographs from all 22 drivers on the grid this year, and when they spoke to the GDN, they had collected nine already.
The Gardiers were amongst the hundreds of fans who flocked to the circuit for the Pit Lane Walk yesterday.
The afternoon session at the BIC’s pit lane offered fans a chance to catch a glimpse of their favourite drivers and teams optimising their F1 cars on the fifth day of testing in Bahrain.
To adapt to Ramadan fasting, Motorsports Marshals Club board member Ali Fini told the GDN that more than 250 marshals were on duty around the track to ensure a balanced workload. “We have boosted our numbers from around 180 to more than 250,” he added.
“We also introduced an operate-and-rest model to reduce the burden on individual marshals.
“The way teams operate was also adapted and instead of one team waiting for another to finish, we developed an efficient system to get all hands on deck and balance out the workload.
“We also have air-conditioned rest areas around the track which have come in handy this year.”
The F1 Aramco Pre-Season Testing 2026 will end today at ‘The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East’.
Today will be the last day of the F1 teams’ on-track preparations ahead of the first grand prix of the 2026 FIA F1 World Championship, to be held in Melbourne, Australia, next month.
Tickets for the F1 Aramco Pre-Season Testing 2026 cost BD10 for adults and BD5 for children. Those who purchased their F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix tickets during the early bird promotion last year get complimentary access to the circuit this weekend.
• To buy tickets or for more information, visit bahraingp.com or call 17450000.
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