Are Fans Permitted to Drink Alcohol During the Bahrain GP?

As tradition goes, the top 3 finishers celebrate the conclusion of each race in F1 by spraying and drinking champagne. Moreover, serving alcoholic beverages to the spectators to enhance the whole experience of enjoying the race is common as well. However, as the sport moved outside of Europe, they had to take care of the cultural and religious sentiments of the host nation. This puts Formula 1 in a bit of a dilemma as tradition is dear to the sport, but at the same time, compliance with laws is necessary as well. One host nation that has a pretty complex take on the whole situation is Bahrain.

Middle Eastern countries are the home to multiple Grand Prix each year. In many of these nations, there is a prohibition on alcohol by law, owing to religious sentiments. Though some allow the sale and consumption of spirits, there is a ban on an open advertisements. While there is a complete ban on alcohol in Saudi Arabia, it isn’t so in the UAE where restaurants and bars serve legally. Moreover, during the Abu Dhabi GP, the crowd at the venue is free to buy and consume alcohol from pop-up bars.

In Bahrain, the situation is pretty different. The sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, in general, is allowed. Yet there are different standards for different parts of the venue that host the Bahrain GP.

Is alcohol allowed during the Bahrain GP?

Bahrain has been hosting F1 since 2004, except for the 2011 edition, which was canceled owing to widespread protests. Considered one of the safest tracks, it became the home to F1’s first race in the Middle East. In its very first year, the GP bagged the award for Best Organized Grand Prix by the FIA. But does the venue serve alcohol for the spectators? Yes, and no.

There is a strict prohibition on alcohol in the general access areas at the venue. However, ticket holders for the Hospitality Tent have access to food and beverages that include alcoholic drinks as well.

A hospitality tent is a shaded area with air conditioning and big screens with the real-time broadcast of the race on display.

What do podium finishers celebrate with?

While the law allows for the sale and consumption of liquor, drinking in public is strictly not. Advertisements of alcoholic beverages are not either and therefore that puts a dampener on the podium celebrations.

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Drivers do not drink champagne or sparkling wine but have a special non-alcoholic rosewater drink called Waard. They spray that around, just like the regular champagne. Just like in Bahrain, they give drivers Waard to celebrate in Saudi Arabia as well. Reigning champion Max Verstappen is not a fan of it though.

F1’s alcohol advertisements and the tiff with host nations

Alcohol companies are among the biggest sponsors in F1. From as big as being the title sponsors to Grand Prix to a little logo on drivers’ racing suits, one can spot them everywhere. Not too long ago in 2018 and 2019, Johnnie Walker, the famous whiskey brand sponsored the Belgian GP. Beer giant Heineken displayed big hoardings as well with the message ‘When You Drive, Never Drink’ printed on them.

None of these fly during the races in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, though. Carlos Sainz’s personal brand, Estrella Galicia’s logo had to be covered during the Saudi Arabian GP as well.

The US has some strict alcohol advertisements in place too. Between 2014 and 2018, Williams had a Martini-themed livery with branding on drivers’ suits as well. Being under 21 years during the 2017 US GP, Lance Stroll had to wear a different racing suit from his teammate Felipe Massa.

France has even stricter rules where, as per WTF1, even the brands with zero percent alcohol products cannot advertise.

When Lewis Hamilton realized the drink in his champagne bottle was non-alcoholic

The Bahrain GP was one of the rare moments of success for struggling Mercedes in 2022. Lewis Hamilton managed to secure a 3rd place finish with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz joining him on the podium. However, despite being happy to be on the podium, Hamilton’s celebrations were cut short.

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Just as he took a sip from the bottle, he found what he drinking wasn’t the traditional winning champagne. He looked on as Charles Leclerc took a sip from his bottle as well. Previously, drivers were given rosewater-flavored drinks in the bottle but this time around, they got 7Up. At least that is what, according to Express UK, Hamilton told Leclerc. The duo shared a smile together while Leclerc continued to take more sips.