Get ready for the Bahrain Grand Prix with our Race Ready guide, covering everything from the F1 schedule to travelling and accommodation

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
09:45PORSCHE CARRERA CUP MIDDLE EASTFIRST PRACTICE SESSION
10:55FORMULA 3PRACTICE SESSION
12:05FORMULA 2PRACTICE SESSION
14:30FORMULA 1FIRST PRACTICE SESSION
16:00FORMULA 3QUALIFYING SESSION
16:55FORMULA 2QUALIFYING SESSION
18:00FORMULA 1SECOND PRACTICE SESSION
19:30PORSCHE CARRERA CUP MIDDLE EASTSECOND PRACTICE SESSION
FRIDAY 1 MARCH
12:05PORSCHE CARRERA CUP MIDDLE EASTQUALIFYING SESSION
13:15FORMULA 3SPRINT RACE
15:30FORMULA 1THIRD PRACTICE SESSION
17:15FORMULA 2SPRINT RACE
19:00FORMULA 1QUALIFYING SESSION
20:45PORSCHE CARRERA CUP MIDDLE EASTFIRST RACE
SATURDAY 2 MARCH
12:00FORMULA 3FEATURE RACE
13:30FORMULA 2FEATURE RACE
15:00PORSCHE CARRERA CUP MIDDLE EASTSECOND RACE
18:00FORMULA 1BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX
*All times given in local time zone

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.

Gabriel Bortoleto will compete in F2 at the Bahrain Grand Prix
Gabriel Bortoleto on the podium at Melbourne F3 Grand Prix 2023

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.

Bahrain Grand Prix 2023

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 CIRCUITTRACK STATS
FIRST GRAND PRIX2004
LAP LENGTH5.412 km
LAP RECORD1:31.447 – Pedro de la Rosa (2005)
LAPS57
RACE DISTANCE 308.238 km
TURNS16

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.

Bahrain skyline

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.