Book tickets
Sign up
Welcome to the Race Ready for the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix. We’re here to ensure you have all the information available at your fingertips to enable you to get the most out of your live motorsport experience. If you have not bought your tickets yet, head to our Bahrain Grand Prix page to do so now!
Bahrain F1 Grand Prix weekend schedule
This year sees the Bahrain Grand Prix celebrate its 20th anniversary – yes it’s been that long already! This Saturday night race is the first outing on the 2024 Formula 1 calendar. It is also one of the most spectacular and most affordable. Hearing Formula 1 cars roar into the Arabian night is a truly spine-tingling experience.
Here’s what the schedule for the first Formula 1 weekend of 2024 looks like…
| THURSDAY 29 FEBRUARY | ||
|---|---|---|
| 09:45 | PORSCHE CARRERA CUP MIDDLE EAST | FIRST PRACTICE SESSION |
| 10:55 | FORMULA 3 | PRACTICE SESSION |
| 12:05 | FORMULA 2 | PRACTICE SESSION |
| 14:30 | FORMULA 1 | FIRST PRACTICE SESSION |
| 16:00 | FORMULA 3 | QUALIFYING SESSION |
| 16:55 | FORMULA 2 | QUALIFYING SESSION |
| 18:00 | FORMULA 1 | SECOND PRACTICE SESSION |
| 19:30 | PORSCHE CARRERA CUP MIDDLE EAST | SECOND PRACTICE SESSION |
| FRIDAY 1 MARCH | ||
|---|---|---|
| 12:05 | PORSCHE CARRERA CUP MIDDLE EAST | QUALIFYING SESSION |
| 13:15 | FORMULA 3 | SPRINT RACE |
| 15:30 | FORMULA 1 | THIRD PRACTICE SESSION |
| 17:15 | FORMULA 2 | SPRINT RACE |
| 19:00 | FORMULA 1 | QUALIFYING SESSION |
| 20:45 | PORSCHE CARRERA CUP MIDDLE EAST | FIRST RACE |
| SATURDAY 2 MARCH | ||
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 | FORMULA 3 | FEATURE RACE |
| 13:30 | FORMULA 2 | FEATURE RACE |
| 15:00 | PORSCHE CARRERA CUP MIDDLE EAST | SECOND RACE |
| 18:00 | FORMULA 1 | BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX |
Support races at the Bahrain Grand Prix
The very first round of a brand new season will see both Formula 2 and Formula 3 kick off alongside the main event. The 2023 F3 champion Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA) was promoted to F2 and will race with British team, Virtuosi Racing. Meanwhile, Théo Pourchaire (FRA) will not return to retain his F2 title, but remains as reserve driver for Sauber F1.
Bahrain will also host even more action by way of support races, as both Formula 2 and Formula 3 will see Sprint races contested on the Friday afternoon. See times in the timetable above.
As well as support races there will be entertainment throughout the weekend. Families will be well catered for with the Nickelodeon Rocks, the High Impress and the Ferris Wheel
The party doesn’t stop after the race on Saturday night, when the evening will be wrapped up by a DJ set from world renowned artist Diplo.
The full entertainment schedule is available on the Bahrain International Circuit website here.
Bahrain International Circuit Track Map
Use our handy track map to plan your trip as best you can. You can download the image or take a screenshot to have it to hand during the Grand Prix weekend.
Where is the best place to sit at the Bahrain Grand Prix
It is essential to have your priorities in order when planning your trip to a Formula 1 Grand Prix. Use the map above to help you in your planning.
Firstly, you will need to know what your budget is. The Bahrain Grand Prix is one of the more pocket friendly races in the region, so maybe you can stretch to the best view in house at the Main Grandstand for £368? From here you’ll see the start/finish line, the podium and the cars at top speed as the hurtle down the straight.
If budget is the main concern, then your options still provide good views of the action. The University and Victory Grandstands sit at each end of the Main Straight and start at £141 for the weekend.
Maybe there are other things to factor in. Is it important to be within dashing distance of the concerts after a day at the track? Are you desperate to see the awards ceremony with a good view of the podium? Are you responsible for children or other racegoers who may need to make a quick getaway?
These are all questions to factor in ahead of purchasing your Grand Prix tickets.
Getting to the Bahrain Grand Prix track
There are direct flights to Bahrain from many major European cities, such as London and Paris, which take around six hours. These flights can also be very reasonable when booked in advance, and even more so if you’re willing to accept a layover.
There are no direct flights from the USA to Bahrain. However, most US visitors to this island Arab nation opt to fly to Abu Dhabi or Dubai and then take a short flight to Bahrain from there. This is also the case for fans traveling from Australia.
Many hotels provide a free shuttle service to and from the airport. It is worth checking this service when booking your accommodation. Once you’re on the island of Bahrain, taxi is the best way to get around. Taxis are reasonably prices, air conditioned, notoriously clean and often provide free wifi too. Uber now operate in Bahrain too.
Buses are a more budget option, but they do not arrive all the way to the circuit. The A2 bus comes close, and runs from the airport, through the capital Manama to within 3km of the track.
Free shuttle buses link the Bahrain International Circuit with the following hotels:
- Al Seef (The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain, Nordic Palace & Spa- Seef, Ibis Seef Manama)
- Al Juffair (Gulf Hotel, The K Hotel, The Olive Hotel)
- Diplomatic Area (InterContinental Regency Bahrain, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, Ibis Styles Manama Diplomatic Area)
- Sakhir: Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa
If you are not staying in one of these hotels, you may still be able to use the services if you show your Formula 1 tickets.
Bahrain International Circuit Track Stats
| BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT | TRACK STATS |
|---|---|
| FIRST GRAND PRIX | 2004 |
| LAP LENGTH | 5.412 km |
| LAP RECORD | 1:31.447 – Pedro de la Rosa (2005) |
| LAPS | 57 |
| RACE DISTANCE | 308.238 km |
| TURNS | 16 |
Where to stay at the Bahrain Grand Prix
The main form of accommodation in Bahrain, as in much of the Middle East, is hotels. AirBnb and rented apartments aren’t as popular in this region. However, there is a wealth of options for international visitors.
The capital city of this tiny nation is Manama. Here you will find plenty of reasonably priced hotel options. The airport and the circuit sit either side of the city, so a central location will put racegoers within a manageable distance of both. This also coincides with the largest concentration of hotels.
It is worth bearing in mind that many hotels offer free shuttles to and from the airport. Check this before you book.
There are also free shuttle buses to and from the circuit to a number of Bahrain hotels (see list above) over the race week. This may be worth paying a little extra for then you don’t have to worry about taking taxis on the race weekend.
Important Information
Emergencies
If you encounter an emergency situation during your trip, you should call the following number:
999
Good to Know
The local currency is the Bahraini Dinar (BHD). The exchange rate is around 1 GBP to 0.47 BHD. All goods and services are paid in the local currency.
The official language is Arabic but the vast majority of people speak good English.
Prohibited Items at the Bahrain International Circuit (no. 9 in T&Cs)
Customer Service
If you require assistance during the race weekend, feel free to contact our customer service team through the Motorsport Tickets Help Centre.
FAQs
If you have some more queries or would like more information, head over to our FAQs section.