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The Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix is F1’s only race in the Middle East – at this multifunctional circuit
The Grand Prix of Bahrain in 2004 was the first time the FIA Formula One World Championship had been held in the Middle East. In 2007, the BIC became the first Grand Prix circuit to be presented with the FIA Institute Centre of Excellence award for its high-tech facilities.
Last year’s race was won by Ferrari’s Felipe Massa in 1hr 33mins 27.515secs, with Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) and eventual champion Kimi Räikkönen (also Ferrari) second and third respectively.
RACE DATE: 6 APRIL 2008
NUMBER OF LAPS: 57
CIRCUIT LENGTH: 5.412km
RACE DISTANCE: 308.238km
LAP RECORD: 1:30.252 – MICHAEL SCHUMACHER (2004)
TURN 1
Cars slow from 300kmh to about 60kmh here, moving down the gears from seventh to first
TURN 6
Drivers experience the greatest G-force here – 3.57Gs – travelling at 190kmh in fourth gear
SAKHIR TOWER
The easily recognisable eight-storey VIP tower has become a symbol of the BIC and has a roof terrace, restaurant, suites and admin offices
PIT STRAIGHT
The track’s longest straight is 1,090m, at the end of which F1 cars can reach 300kmh
BIC by numbers
45,000
Total seating capacity at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC)
47
VIP hospitality suites in the main and Oasis grandstands
41 Remote-controlled security cameras
with zoom to help officials
monitor every aspect of the race
500
Journalists in the media centre,
with 260 television sets
13,000 Parking spaces
600
Race-track marshals
750
TV technicians and
commentators
1,400 Cleaners, electricians, caterers
and merchandising staff
97
Medical staff, including
25 doctors
800 Security staff
1,000 Policemen
82,000 Tyres used in safety barriers
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