Sports: 2013 Formula I Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix

By Francis J. Saldanha
Bellevision Media Network

Manama, 18 April 2013: The Bahrain Grand prix is one of the most unpredictable which of course, lends itself to being one of the most exciting races in the FI calendar of the year. This year marks the ninth edition of the Formula1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix and it is also the fourth round of the 2013 FIA Formula1 world championship following the Australia, Malaysia and China.

 

 The annual FI spectacle will take place from April 19-21 at the home of motor-sport in the Middle East, the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC). This year Bahrain’s mega event will witness a grid of 22 of the world’s fastest single-seater race cars driven by the world’s most talented racers.  They will battle it out over 57 laps at the end of which the chequered flag will fall and the brand new winner will be announced. With turnout of 75,000 spectators last year, and even more expected for this year as well. The official slogan of this year is “Imagine Your Moment” where the FI organizers aim to create memories that people will cherish for the rest of their lives. FI fans will be treated to an action-packed roster of international support races, including once again the highly popular single-seater championship the GP2 Series and many more. 

 

The BIC stadium will be an absolute hive of activity.  Spectators will be able to enjoy a whole host of premium entrainment, ranging from musical performances to stage shows and mesmerizing acts. Also on offer are a selection of carnival rides, parlor games and exceptional exhibitions.  Entertainers from across the globe are turning up for the Grand Prix, bringing artists from countries like France, Kenya, Mexico, Portugal, Switzerland, Japan, China and India. For children’s entertainment there will be a large tent catering specifically for the kids, plus much more throughout the weekend.

 

The 2004 Grand Prix of Bahrain marked the first ever round of the FIA Formula One World Championship to be held in the Middle East and the official culmination of a multi-million dollar project started back in September 2002 when the Kingdom of Bahrain signed a long-term deal to host the event.

 

 

Located at Sakhir a world-class motorsport facility had risen out of the desert 30 kilometers south of Bahrain’s capital city, Manama and BIC reputation has grown ever since.  Its annual Grand Prix is now renowned as one of the most friendly, atmospheric and exciting of the season.

BIC contains no less than five track layouts within one complex. The original 5.412 km Grand Prix circuit was designed with the spectators in mind, with 50,000 grandstand seats, all providing excellent views. Those spectators (a total of 100,000 over a race weekend) get to see the cars heading into the external desert area, before coming back into the oasis-styled infield. Up to 500 journalists can also witness the action from the venue’s purpose-built media centre.

 

Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari was first to the chequered flag to win the Bahrain Grand Prix, the first FIA Formula One World Championship event held in the Middle East in the year 2004. Red Bull racing’s triple world champion Sebastian Vettel was last year’s winner. He was joined on the podium by Lotus teammates Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean.

 

Sebastian Vettel from Germany and FI world champion will hope to push aside the disappointment of missing out on a podium finish at last weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.  He finished fourth, just 0.2 seconds behind Mercedes British driver and former F1 champion Lewis Hamilton after a thrilling chase to the chequered flag. He is looking forward to putting on a show in one of his favourite race venues at BIC.

 

Formula one is one of the biggest sports in the world attracting about 600 million TV viewers for each race.

 

Race Date: 21 Apr 2013
Circuit Name: Bahrain International Circuit
First Grand Prix: 2004
Number of Laps: 57
Circuit Length: 5.412 km
Race Distance: 308.238 km
Lap Record: 1:30.252 - M Schumacher (2004)