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WORK will shortly start on building a new stand at the Bahrain International Circuit to cater for the massive interest generated by the forthcoming Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in April.
Last year's final race day sold out and organisers of the annual spectacular have been staggered by the phenomenal response from fans for this year's event and excitement being generated in and around the kingdom.
The current capacity of the stadium is 43,000 and the new stand will add another 1,600 seats for race-hungry fans.
Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, chief operating officer of the BIC said: 'This is a great development for the circuit which has come about through last year's sell-out crowd at the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. It is a visual marking of growth for the growing regional fan base of the FIA Formula One World Championship which we are all very proud of at the Bahrain International Circuit.'
GulfWeekly can reveal exclusive details about the new grandstand.
It will look over the exit from the
Offer a perfect view of the Start/Finish line.
Building starts towards the end of February.
Will be up for the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2008 .
It is being designed specifically for the F1 Grand Prix.
Spectator friendly – 100 per cent in the shade and will be covered in the BIC’s signature tent-style covering.
In-house project, the BIC’s Facilities Department will be responsible for the design and construction.
Though currently a semi-permanent construction the BIC will look to make it a permanent feature in the future.
Steven Umfreville, commercial director of the BIC, said: “This marks a great achievement for the circuit that it has to accommodate a greater number of visitors to the biggest racing event in the region.
“The Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix has grown from strength to strength each year not just from entertainment impact but commercially too.
“It is the ‘must-attend event’ of the region and it happens here in Bahrain and if it means building more stands to seat the increasing amount of spectators then that is exactly what we’ll do!”
Huge interest surrounds this year’s Formula One because the competition is so open and there are potentially so many intriguing battles on the track that even the most respected motor-racing pundits are unsure who to back to win.
Will last year’s rookie Hamilton fulfil his potential and ride off with the championship, how will his former team-mate Alonso prosper now he is back with his beloved Renault and who, if anyone, will be able to catch last year’s champion Kimi Raikkonen?
Testing by the Farrari and Toyota teams will start next week at the BiC prior to the season’s opening race in Australia on March 16.
