Agencies/Bahrain
Briefing the media were Shaikh Salman bin Isa al-Khalifa, Chief Executive at BIC, and Samer Majali, Chief Executive at Gulf Air
Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), alongside national carriers Gulf Air, proudly announced yesterday an exciting programme of events for the upcoming 2012 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
The long awaited race weekend, which is loved by hundreds of thousands of racing fans from across the region, will be the eighth running of the event.
It is scheduled to take place between April 20 and 22 as the fourth round of a record-breaking 20-race calendar that makes up this year’s FIA Formula One World Championship.
The 60-day countdown to the Grand Prix weekend begins  today, and as the event nears, excitement and anticipation hots up.
All-new details of the Formula One event were revealed at today’s Press conference, held at BIC’s Paddock Club Lounge Six. In attendance were Shaikh Salman bin Isa al-Khalifa, Chief Executive at BIC, and Samer Majali, Chief Executive at Gulf Air.
Together they revealed this year’s slogan for the race: ‘Unif1ed – One Nation in Celebration’. This mantra reflects the unifying spirit of true Formula One fans, who share a passion for the sport and who long to see the very best of motor racing take place in the Kingdom.
Shaikh Salman commented: “Sport brings people together, especially the truest and most dedicated of fans. Be it in football, tennis, golf or motor racing, there is something special about sport that makes it a great unifier.
“We in Bahrain should feel extremely privileged to be part of an exclusive club of only a handful of countries who can say that they are a host of a Grand Prix and are a part of the FIA Formula One World Championship. Our race is a source of pride!
“Based on the success of past Grands Prix, we are all together looking forward to staging yet another spectacular Formula One weekend. We are excited about making Bahrain proud and for the whole world to see that we are indeed One Nation in Celebration.”
Samer Majali confirmed: “As Bahrain’s national carrier, we are looking forward to welcoming the return of the Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
“We have already seen an increase in bookings for these three days as excitement builds. Gulf Air has been the title sponsor of the Bahrain Grand Prix since it made history in April 2004 as the first Formula One Grand Prix to be held in the Middle East.”
Shaikh Salman also revealed that a generous 15 per cent discount on all tickets to the race weekend is being offered over the next two weeks. With this special deal in place, all race fans are advised to scoop up their tickets as soon as possible in order to avoid disappointment and get added value for money.
Tickets to the Bahrain Grand Prix can be purchased for seats along the Main Grandstand, from where a view of the start grid, finish line, Formula One pit lane and podium can be enjoyed. These are now on sale, as well as tickets for the Turn One Grandstand, Batelco Grandstand, University Grandstands and Victory Grandstand.
Tickets can be purchased at Bahrain International Circuit’s stand at Bahrain City Centre, online at
www.bahraingp.com, or by calling the circuit’s hotline on +973-17-450000. All three-day ticket holders will have plenty of additional incentives that can be enjoyed throughout the Grand Prix weekend.