60-day countdown to Bahrain F1 Grand Prix begins

Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), in cooperation with national carrier Gulf Air, began today its official 60-day countdown to the region’s biggest and most highly anticipated sporting and social event: the 2013 Formula 1™ Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. The annual festival of top-class motor racing and entertainment takes place April 19-20-21 at BIC, “The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East”, in Sakhir. It will be the fourth round of the 2013 FIA Formula 1™ World Championship. Speaking at a Press conference held today at the circuit premises, BIC Chief Executive Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa revealed an array of details about this year’s event, which will be the Kingdom of Bahrain’s ninth hosting of the Formula 1™ race. Among the major announcements, Shaikh Salman unveiled the official slogan for this year Grand Prix weekend: “Imagine Your Moment”. Gulf Air Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr Maher Salman Jabr Al Musallam was also on hand in the media gathering. He spoke about Gulf Air’s involvement and support for the Formula 1™ extravaganza. “IMAGINE YOUR MOMENT” AT THIS YEAR’S BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX Shaikh Salman was delighted to reveal the all-new slogan for this year’s race weekend: “Imagine Your Moment”. This reflects both the excitement from all Formula 1™ fans ahead of the 2013 Bahrain Grand Prix, as well as all the memorable moments people create during the enjoyable time they have at the race. “There is always a special moment or two for whoever attends the Bahrain Grand Prix, be it on the track or off of it, and we would like all the fans to ‘Imagine Your Moment’ and feel the excitement of our upcoming Grand Prix,” said Shaikh Salman. THE DAYS COUNT DOWN TO REGION’S BIGGEST EVENT BIC has been working hard over the past several weeks gearing up for the upcoming Grand Prix, tackling the wide array of issues associated with hosting such a major event. Now, with the final 60-day countdown to the race weekend, BIC is set to become a hive of activity as it steps up its preparations and as everyone begins looking forward to all the thrills and enjoyment. BIC AND GULF AIR FORM A DISTINCT NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr. Maher Salman Al Musallam said, “This will be Gulf Air’s eighth year as the official title sponsor of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Since its beginning in 2004, the race has become one of the region’s most prestigious sporting events. The 2013 Formula1 Bahrain Gulf Air Grand Prix is expected to draw thousands of fans from across the Middle East and the international community allowing the Kingdom to reap the associated economic benefits. The Gulf Air- F1 sponsorship agreement has also paid great dividends in firmly establishing the Kingdom of Bahrain on the global map as the ‘Home of Motorsport in the Middle East”, as well as raising the airline’s image as the sports ambassador of the country.” MASSIVE CROWD OF 70,000 IN 2012…EVEN BIGGER TURNOUT EXPECTED THIS YEAR Shaikh Salman expressed his delight with the massive crowd of up to 70,000 people attending last year’s highly successful Formula 1™ Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. The BIC chief expects an even larger turnout this year, with the growing popularity of the sport and the rapidly developing motorsport culture both in Bahrain and the rest of the Middle East all contributing to the greater attendance. BIC hopes to come close to matching its biggest-ever turnout to the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend of 100,000 fans in 2010. ACTION-PACKED ON-TRACK PROGRAMME SUPPORTING FORMULA 1™ Just as it is each year at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Formula 1™ will not be the only racing championship that will be thrilling fans on the track. An action-packed programme of international support races has been lined up by BIC, including once again the highly popular single-seater championship: the GP2 Series. GP2 is widely accepted to be the chief feeder category to Formula 1™. Many of the sport’s biggest stars today are all GP2 graduates, including former World Champion Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain, his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg and Sauber ace Nico Hulkenberg both of Germany, Argentinean Sergio Perez of McLaren, Frenchman Romain Grosjean of Lotus, and Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado of Williams. GP2 will be holding its second round of the 2013 season in Bahrain. Other support races will be announced soon. WORLD-CLASS ENTERTAINMENT TO BE ENJOYED IN FORMULA 1™ VILLAGE Each year, the Formula 1™ Village located behind BIC’s Main Grandstand is bustling with activity, and that will be no different in 2013. Race-goers will be able to enjoy the very best of top-class entertainment, ranging from musical performances, stage shows and mesmerising acts to carnival rides, parlour games and dazzling exhibitions. BIC has signed entertainers from all over the world to be at the Grand Prix, including countries such as France, Kenya, Mexico, Portugal, Switzerland, Japan, China and India, to name a few. One of the main features of the Formula 1™ Village will be the children’s entertainment area. There will once again be a large tent solely allocated for the kids’s enjoyment, and this plus so much more will be available on all three days of the race. HURRY AND PICK UP YOUR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX TICKETS AT THE SOONEST! With the very best of international motorsport coming into our backyard and with so much more to enjoy at the three-day event, the 2013 Formula 1™ Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix is certainly an occasion that must not be missed. So, hurry! Pick your tickets up today and be a part of the ultimate festival of racing and fun! Tickets can be purchased for all three days of the race weekend or for Race Day alone. All three-day ticket holders get exclusive bonuses not available to single-day passes. Tickets can be purchased for the various grandstands strategically located around BIC, including the Main Grandstand, the Turn One Grandstand, the University Grandstand, the Batelco Grandstand, and the Victory Grandstand. A Friday roaming ticket can also be purchased for those looking to experience all the vantage points of the track, while tickets can also be bought for the Gulf Air Club lounge where you can watch the race in a luxury tent. Tickets can be purchased at the BIC stands in Bahrain City Centre and Seef Mall, or at the BIC Welcome Centre located at the circuit entrance. They can also be bought online at www.bahraingp.com or by calling the BIC Hotline on +973-17-450000. Founded in 1950, Gulf Air is the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain and one of the region’s pioneering airlines. With over sixty years of experience in flying people across continents, Gulf Air has become one of the most established brands within the global aviation industry. Gulf Air’s young fleet of aircrafts connects 34 cities in 22 different countries and with a wealth of experience under its belt; Gulf Air built a nexus of networks in Europe, Asia and now operates with the largest network in the Middle East. To book a travel trip to watch the Formula One 2013 race at Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, visit www.gulfair.com or call +973-17-373737. Gulf Air will be running social media competition to win tickets to attend the 2013 Formula 1 race at the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, visit www.gulfair.com to enter the competition. Source : BNA