Why Is the Star Studded Bahrain GP Held Under the Night Sky?

The Bahrain Grand Prix is one of the most esteemed weekends in Formula One. As a result, everyone is quite enthusiastic about this event, both the drivers and the fans. In 2004, Bahrain hosted the first Formula One event in the Middle East. The past 17 years have seen the nation offer some of the most memorable F1 moments, including the stunning opening race in 2021 and the fierce duel in the dunes in 2014. The Bahrain Grand Prix was originally held during the day, but to honor a particular occasion, it was changed to a night race. What was that specifically? The first race was held at the Bahrain International Circuit in 2014 to mark the tenth anniversary of Formula One. Ever since floodlights have always been used.

Typically, Formula One races take place during the day. However, the idea of night races was first introduced at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. Since that time, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain have both switched to a night racing format. The Bahrain Grand Prix, which kicks off the new season, is a night event and gets underway at 18:30. The Circuit, which has its headquarters in Sakhir, is 3.363 miles long and has 15 bends, and the legendary Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher won the maiden race at the Sakhir circuit.

Motives for changing the race’s itinerary to night

As we all are aware that Formula 1 has a fantastic European market and attracts a lot of spectators from both the Gulf and European nations. And when the race will start in the evening, it’ll surely bring in much more excitement. The Bahrain Circuit’s chairman, Zayed Al Zayani, explained this situation to the media in an interview. He decided to follow the night schedule because of the stadium’s overflowing audience. In fact, 97,000 people in the 2019 season watched the race. While talking to Autosport, he explained, “One disadvantage we have had to contend with in the past has been that Sunday is a working day in Bahrain. That made it very difficult for the fans to be here at 3 pm when coming out of school or work. With the 6 pm start it will make it easier for them to finish up their normal routine on Sunday and be here on time to watch the race.”

Ross Brawn, the managing director of F1, provided additional justifications. As per the Independent. co, he said, ” We assessed a number of options for the alternative circuit layout,” Brawn said in a statement. (We) concluded the outer circuit will provide the best alternative and will provide a new challenge for all the teams and entertain all our fans with high speeds and fast lap times.”

READ MORE: Are Fans Permitted to Drink Alcohol During the Bahrain GP?

The Bahrain race’s seamless transition from dusk to night is another factor in its designation as a night race.

The Perfect Transition and Money

Now, the significant difference between races held during the day and those held at night mostly centers on the variation in temperature. It is given that the temperature at night will be much lower than it is during the day, which will significantly affect the ability of the tires to generate heat. The process will go more swiftly in the afternoon because of the hotter weather, the heat from the cars, and the track itself. Now, when we talk about the Bahrain Grand Prix race, which takes place as dusk falls into night, is clearly not a full-fledged night race at this point. The South and North Americans awake to see the breathtaking race. While Australians and New Zealanders retire to bed after enjoying the competition, it promotes and precisely complies with the schedule.

The glamor and hard labor that generate a tonne of money are the focus of the sport. Therefore, from a commercial perspective, nighttime racing events are significant. This is true since Formula One has a sizable European market, thus a night race in Asia ensures that there will be viewers from Europe. The perception of the different countries as desirable tourism destinations would definitely increase as a result.

The iconic moments from Bahrain GP

The Bahrain Grand Prix has demonstrated throughout the years that it is one of the best racing tracks that Formula 1 has to offer, so it is clear that it isn’t only on the schedule for the sake of glamor. Any F1 fan would remember Lewis Hamilton’s spectacular duel with 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg when discussing some of the greatest moments from the Bahrain Grand Prix. As a result of the track’s straight and harsh braking zones, which are perfect for overtaking, the battle of W05 has been one of the best in the turbo hybrid era.

Not to mention the fact that Romain Grosjean‘s car crashed into a barrier on the opening lap and caught fire in Bahrain only. There the French driver miraculously escaped with minor burns thanks to the helmet protecting his life.

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The nation has many things to offer and if you are there and away from the racetrack, Bahrain is a terrific place to catch some sunshine, with the 33-island archipelago monarchy having some flabbergasting resorts. In light of the foregoing, who do you predict will win this year’s championship after the season begins on March 5 at the Bahrain GP beneath the stars?