Race fans to see dramatically different F1 grid in Bahrain GP 2019 at BIC

Local motorsport fans attending the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2019 can expect a dramatically different grid from what they witnessed last year at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir. 

There has been a number of changes amongst the drivers and teams heading into this year’s FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

Followers got to see them all together for the first time last weekend at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, and now the all-new grid will be making its appearance at BIC, “The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East”, in about a week’s time.

Aside from defending constructors’ World champions Mercedes – with record-breaking five-time drivers’ World champion Lewis Hamilton and teammate Valtteri Bottas in their cars – every other team is sporting something new in either their driver line-up or team profile.

One of the biggest changes is the absence on the grid of two-time World champion Fernando Alonso, who will not be racing in Bahrain having moved on from Grand Prix racing for 2019. He remains and ambassador and adviser at McLaren, who now have an all-new driver
line-up of Carlos Sainz and British rookie Lando Norris.

World champion in 2007, Kimi Raikkonen, is now suiting up in the new Alfa Romeo colours following his departure from Ferrari. The team rebranded to Alfa Romeo from Sauber during the off-season, and they also have a new driver tandem in Raikkonen and Italian Antonio Giovinazzi, who is racing in his first full season in the top flight.

Charles Leclerc switched places with Raikkonen at the Scuderia, having raced last year with Sauber. Leclerc partners four-time World champion Sebastian Vettel.

Another big star on the move was Daniel Ricciardo, who exited Red Bull Racing and joined Renault, where he races alongside Nico Hulkenberg.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen now has Pierre Gasly as his teammate, forming a young but dynamic duo.

Gasly raced for Toro Rosso the past season-and-a-half, but now the Red Bull sister outfit features Thai rookie Alexander Albon and the returning Daniil Kvyat.

Robert Kubica completed his Formula 1 comeback with Williams in Australia last weekend after nearly a decade away from the top flight. His last Grand Prix before that was in Abu Dhabi in 2010. He races alongside another British rookie in George Russell.

Racing Point have rebranded in the off-season after previously being known as Force India. They now have Lance Stroll racing one car with Sergio Perez in the other.

And Haas F1 Team are showcasing a new livery but have the same partnership of Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen, as they hope to continue building on a strong 2018.

All this and so much more awaits motorsport fans on the track at the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2019.

Tickets to the Grand Prix are selling fast and those looking to attend are advised to purchase theirs at the earliest and not risk missing out on the hottest event in town.

Tickets for seating to the Main Grandstand are BD150 apiece. A Batelco Grandstand ticket for all four days originally costs BD120, but there are also two other options for Batelco Grandstand seats. For a ticket to Saturday and Sunday only, the cost is BD100, while for Friday
only it is BD60. A four-day ticket to the Turn One Grandstand is BD100 before any discount; whereas University and Victory Grandstand tickets are originally BD60 apiece.

It is worth noting that BIC is covering the Value Added Tax (VAT) on all Bahrain Grand Prix ticket prices, saving fans from any additional expense to attend the Formula 1 spectacle. The prices continue to be amongst the most competitive for any event on the Formula 1 calendar.