F1 Bahrain Grand Prix

Charter a Private Jet to the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix

Smack in the middle of the Sakhir Desert is the Bahrain International Circuit, an ultramodern racetrack that calls itself “The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East.”

Built on the site of a former camel farm south of Manama, the Bahrain International Circuit has hosted the Bahrain Grand Prix early in the Formula One season since its inaugural race in 2004.

We can get you there

If you’d like to hear the roar of Formula 1 engines mingled with the hint of an earlier time when the only things racing there were those humped beasts of the desert, Paramount Business Jets can arrange a charter flight for you into any nearby airport, including:

• Shaikh Isa Ab Airport, OBBS, Bahrain, Bahrain (9 miles)
• Bahrain International Airport, OBBI, BAH, Bahrain, Bahrain (18 miles)
• King Abdulaziz Ab Airport, OEDR, DHA, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia (28 miles)
• King Fahd International Airport, OEDF, DMM, Dammam, Saudi Arabia (54 miles)
• Ras Tanura Airport, OERT, Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia (56 miles)
• Abqaiq Airport, OEBQ, Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia (58 miles)
• Al Khor Airport, OTBK, Al Khor, Qatar (68 miles)
• King Abdulaziz Naval Base Airport, OE50, Al Jubayl, Saudi Arabia (80 miles)
• Al Udeid Airport, OTBH, Al Udeid, Qatar (81 miles)
• Al Ahsa Airport, OEAH, LEA, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia (82 miles)

About Bahrain

An island nation smaller than New York City, the Kingdom of Bahrain is an archipelago, east of Saudi Arabia and south of Iran in the Persian Gulf. Qatar is to the southeast across the Gulf of Bahrain. Half of Bahrain’s 1.2 million residents (2010 census) are non-nationals.

Bahrain, the only island nation in the Middle East, is the site of the first oil well on the Arabian side of the Persian Gulf.

And, it’s hot there. In addition to temperatures that can reach 118 degrees in the summer, the shallow waters around Bahrain heat up fast and produce high humidity – especially at night. It doesn’t rain much, however. Most rainfall occurs in the winter.

Even when sitting in the shade of a grandstand during the race, you are likely to need sunscreen or a hat and don’t forget to drink plenty of water.

The Race

The Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix, which is held at night on the only desert Formula One circuit, always takes place early in the race season, usually in late March or early April.

Racing fans can’t help but feel the intersection of old and new at the track in the desert. When the sun goes down and the wind picks up for the nighttime race, the cars and the blowing sands mix into a surreal “Arabian Nights” atmosphere. In fact, the drifting sands force drivers to be flexible when scheduling pit stops.

The mood is amplified when mixed with the hustle and bustle of nearby Manama, Bahrain’s capital. Manama means “sleeping place” but don’t be fooled. It’s an exotic city of bright lights and open-air markets.

The $150 million Bahrain International Circuit held its first Grand Prix in 2004.

Ten years later, it celebrated its anniversary by adding a floodlight system of some 500 light poles that allowed it to hold the race at night.

The Bahrain circuit has five FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) track layouts, including the 3.4-mile Grand Prix Track.

The Main Grandstand has the best view of the start and finish but there are four other grandstands with great views. Watch the desert loops from the Batelco Grandstand; get a great view of the first turn, the Michael Schumacher Corner, from the Turn One and University grandstands; and watch the cars zoom to the finish line from the two Victory grandstands.

Other Things to See in Bahrain

• The Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park. A water park is a water park – unless it’s near a hot and dusty race track in the desert. The Lost Paradise, nine miles from the Sakhir circuit, offers a nearby oasis for racing fans.
• Manama. There is much to do and see in Bahrain’s lively capital city. Taste the local fare or check out nightclubs and open-air markets (souqs). The Al-Faith Mosque is a must-see for tourists.
• The Tree of Life (Shajarat-al-Hayat) in the southeast corner of the island is a 32-foot Prosopis cineraria that is believed to be more than 400 years old. It sits alone with no apparent water supply. Other vegetation is not visible for miles. The mystery of its survival has made it legendary.
• First oil well and Oil Museum. Oil first spurted from the first well in the Persian Gulf – below the highest point on Bahrain, the “Mountain of Smoke” -- in 1931. The Mountain of Smoke got its name from the haze that surrounds it on hot and humid days. Before oil was discovered, Bahrain was a major supplier of pearls.
• The Oil Museum is located next to the first oil well. Its collection includes topographical maps, old drilling equipment, rocks and information about the early oil explorers.

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