Bahrain get ready to stage fifth Formula One Grand Prix

Dubai: The 2008 Gulf Air Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix will be held from April 4 to 6 at the spruced up Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).

BIC Chief Executive Officer Martin Whitaker, along with the main sponsor Bjorn Naf, the president and chief executive of the Gulf Air, is in Dubai with the aim of spreading the Formula One fever all over the UAE.

"We still cannot believe that we are entering the fifth year. It seems like we hosted our first Grand Prix in 2004 only yesterday. The race has got bigger and better every year and this year we are going to see another unforgettable event," said Whitaker.

The countdown for the race has already begun following the six days of testing at the BIC, where both the Ferrari and Toyota teams put all their all-new challengers through their paces.

Ferrari is set to hog the limelight with the pace of its new car, the F2008, in the hands of 28-year-old Kimi Raikkonen.

"We will be hosting the third round of this year's Formula One World Championship, which takes off in Australia on March 16. Last year the Bahrain Grand prix was a sellout with over 90,000 people watching the action across the three days.

"To accommodate more spectators we have built an entirely new grandstand directly opposite the pitlane exit. We want to make sure that more fans have a comfortable seat and an ideal vantage point," added Whitaker.

Force India, backed by Indian industrialist Vijay Mallya and experienced race winner Giancarlo Fisichella in the No 1 position, is expected to put up a good show.

"This will attract fans from the Indian community in the middle east and hence there will be bigger crowd," said Whitaker, who will also stage the BIC Gulf Air Roadshow in India on March 6.

To ensure accommodation for overseas fans, the organisers have made extensive plans this year.

Prices for Grand Prix all inclusive package start from BD186 (Dh1,800) per person for four nights, inclusive of accommodation and a three-day ticket for Turn One grandstand, with the option to change this to a different vantage point for a supplementary charge.

For the first time, the organisers are introducing Friday only ticket. "The race is being held from Friday to Sunday as the days spills into the working days fans can avail of this ticket," revealed Whitaker.

Eleven teams will take part in this year's Formula One season. The reigning champions Ferrari enter 2008 as pre-season favourites.

"We are proud that Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix has put this region on the world's sporting map," concluded Whitaker.

Factfile

• April 4: 10.00 to 12.30: Formula One practice session
• 14.00 to 15.30: Formula One second practice session
• April 5: 11.00 12.00: Formula One third practice session
• 14.00 to 15.00: Formula One qualifying session.
• April 6: 14.30: Formula One Gulf Air Grand Prix (57 laps).
• Special offers: 50 percent discount for all youth tickets (3 to 15 years) on all seating areas (personal ID required).
• Free entrance for children up to three years accompanied by adults.
• Ten per cent discount for University students for all areas.
• Seniors 55 above for women and 60 above for men will receive a 10 per cent discount on tickets.
• People with special needs (wheel chair etc) will receive a 25 per cent discount.

Past winners of the Gulf Air Grand prix:

• 2004: Michael Schumacher Ferrari F 2004
• 2005: Fernando Alonso Renault R 25
• 2006: Fernando Alonso Renault R 26
• 2007: Felipe Massa Ferrari F 2007

For tickets: www.bahraingp.com