Manama: Bahrain’s biggest sporting and social event of the year, the 2014 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, is celebrating its landmark 10-year anniversary this weekend, with the event being floodlit for the first time.
And officials in Sakhir in the south of the country who are staging the event are confident it will be a roaring success.
“Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) is ready to host three fantastic days of Formula One racing, and the excitement ahead of the weekend has reached fever pitch,” BIC officials said in a statement. “BIC will be celebrating its landmark 10th anniversary all weekend long, culminating with the hosting of its 10th Formula One race. To mark the special occasion, the 57-lap Bahrain Grand Prix will be held under floodlights for the very first time.”
The 2009 world champion Jenson Button, driving for Bahrain-owned McLaren, will be starting the 250th grand prix of his career on Sunday. It is the most for any driver on the grid.
Meanwhile, championship leaders Mercedes have made their intentions of winning in Bahrain very clear.
Their driver Nico Rosberg is leading the drivers’ standings heading into the Bahrain rain.
He won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne before finishing runner-up to teammate Lewis Hamilton at the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang last Sunday.
“The first two races have been a great start to my season and I am already looking forward to being back in the car and carrying on that momentum in Bahrain,” he said upon arriving in the Kingdom:.
“It is a great track and I really enjoy driving it. I have never had much luck on race weekends here, but it is definitely the one I am best prepared for this year.”
BIC officials are also looking for new historic breakthroughs.
“Special milestones are set to make this already momentous occasion even more special,” BIC said.
“BIC is no stranger to hosting memorable events in Formula One. In 2010, the Kingdom had the privilege of kicking off Formula One’s 60th anniversary celebrations. All past Formula One world champions living at the time gathered at BIC to mark the milestone moment — a first in Formula One history. And in 2004, BIC staged the maiden Formula One race in the Middle East, opening doors for the top flight to a whole new market and a whole new world of opportunities.”
Aside from the racing, there will be plenty to enjoy off the racetrack starting Friday for the entire family, BIC said.
The first of three major concerts were set to be held on Friday, with Saudi pop sensation Rabeh Saqer performing.
On Saturday, a double-bill featuring legendary rock band The Scorpions and two-time Grammy Award-winning DJ Afrojack will be taking place.
