NEARLY 500 million fans around the world had their eyes glued to their screens last month, watching the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, which brought in $100 million to the kingdom’s economy.
Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) chief executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa revealed this during a business luncheon hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) at the Sheraton Bahrain hotel yesterday.
Shaikh Salman speaks during the event
“People always think that F1 in Bahrain started in 2004 and while it did, the foundation of that is the Bahrain Motor Federation (BMF), founded in 1952, which supported motorsports to develop the country’s future, and fast forward to today, where we have more than 500m fans that watch the race,” he noted, speaking on ‘Bahrain’s Role in Global Motorsport’.
“We welcomed more than 12,000 visitors, up from last year, when it was 10,000. If you take the media exposure, all the prints, ads and media exposure it is valued at around $200m for that race.
“The direct and tangible impact is straightforward – including the hotels, restaurants, rentals not just for the 12,000 visitors but also the F1 teams and media – an additional 1,500 people – staying for four or five days, around $100m (BD37.7m) comes into the country’s economy every year.”
The GDN previously reported that a record-setting sell-out crowd of 105,000 visited BIC during the three days of the Grand Prix race weekend.
On the race day, April 13, alone, 37,700 fans visited the circuit, cheering on their favourite drivers.
The track also set a record of 12,000 international fans who flew from around the world, including South Korea, Türkiye, India, Philippines and the UK, among others, to enjoy the weekend.
This year’s F1 weekend was the fourth round of the 2025 FIA F1 World Championship, celebrating the 75th anniversary of both F1 and Bahrain’s national carrier and grand prix title sponsor Gulf Air.
It was the first night race of the season, taking place under BIC’s bright, state-of-the-art floodlights and showed the world that ‘The Desert Never Sleeps’.
The economic and global visibility benefits are substantial. F1 surpasses major sports leagues like the NFL, Major League Baseball and the Premier League.
Broadcasters reach 200 countries, providing unprecedented international exposure.
Shaikh Salman added that, as a result of this, ‘The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East’ has sold the highest number of early-bird grandstand tickets in its history for next year’s grand prix in Bahrain.
The kingdom’s motorsports strategy has transformed Bahrain from an unknown destination to a global sporting hub.
“When we first announced the race, people asked, ‘Where is Bahrain?’” Shaikh Salman recalled.
“Today, we are a recognised player in the global motorsports arena.”
Strategically, Bahrain has positioned itself as more than just a race venue.
The kingdom has invested in global motorsports infrastructure, including a significant ownership stake in McLaren Racing and leadership roles within international motor-sporting bodies.
“We didn’t want to be just a racetrack,” Shaikh Salman stated.
“Our approach was to be involved in all aspect of the sport, not just the race that comes once a year.
“We started putting people into the sport. Shaikh Abdulla bin Isa Al Khalifa, who is head of the BMF, became FIA vice president of sport for the Middle East. Our chief operating officer Fayez Ramzy Fayez is the deputy race director for the World Endurance Championship and is actually in Italy today running that race.
“We are the only country in this region that puts people in these locations. We build these relationships, and it’s very important.”
Shaikh Salman also added that the ecosystem around the BIC extends far beyond a single race weekend.
The BIC hosted 424 events last year, demonstrating a commitment to utilising the facility year-round and emphasising the track’s versatility, which hosts everything from corporate events to fitness activities and the Bahrain Comic Con this past weekend.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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