F1 News: Bahrain Grand Prix Could Witness Permanent Shift After Recent Success

The Bahrain Grand Prix CEO hinted that the change could have a more positive impact.

The CEO of the Bahrain Grand Prix, Sheikh Salman bin Isa al-Khalifa, has suggested the potential for the race to permanently move to a Saturday on the Formula 1 calendar, following its success this year, coinciding with a Middle East weekend.

Key Takeaways:

• Bahrain Grand Prix CEO Sheikh Salman bin Isa al-Khalifa suggests a permanent move to a Saturday race, considering its success coinciding with a Middle East weekend.
• Due to Ramadan, F1 adjusted the calendar, making the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix run from Thursday to Saturday. The Bahrain event was rescheduled a day earlier for smoother logistics.
• The CEO notes benefits from the Friday-Saturday schedule, including early ticket sales and international attendance, but acknowledges the need for a collective decision with Formula 1, considering global impact and guest preferences.

Because Ramadan, a holy tradition, began on March 10 this year, F1 had to adjust its calendar, leading to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix taking place from Thursday to Saturday this week.

As a result, the Bahrain event was rescheduled to one day earlier to safeguard the smooth transition of freight, and necessary setup between the two races, preventing any potential disruptions caused by a condensed schedule if the race had remained on its original Sunday slot.

For the first time, both the qualifying session and the Grand Prix took place on Friday and Saturday in Bahrain last week. Isa al-Khalifa highlighted the advantage of this scheduling, as it aligned with a Middle East weekend. Consequently, he mentioned that ticket sales were sold out earlier than usual. He told RacingNews365.com:

"From ticket sales, yes, we did sell out earlier than usual, and that's a good sign.

"International sales were also higher. I think we reached about 11,000 people flying in. When you look at the hotels, the rental cars, the restaurants, the economic benefits to a small island are tremendous.

"Because the event is on a Middle East weekend, they (the local fans) might come earlier compared to a race being on a Sunday when they might come after school or after work because even though the race is at six (o'clock), people would come later.

"I guess when we came in, we were humble and respected - and we still respect - the culture of Formula 1 (with a grand prix) being on a Sunday.

"Now Vegas has started on a Saturday, and you see that and say, 'Maybe we can, if we agree with Formula 1 and Formula 1 agrees'.

"It's not our decision. It's a collective decision. We'll see the numbers and maybe decide."

However, whether or not a similar change would make a positive difference across the globe would be open to question. Speaking further, the Bahrain GP CEO added:

"Okay, it's selfish. If I say, 'Yes, I want it on the (Middle East) weekend', it's only for Bahrain, and yet, we are trying to grow our international sales.

"We're 11,000, so maybe 13, 14,000 next year. Does it make sense for them, because you go back on a Sunday, and you have a day off? So it's not just about us. I'm not thinking about Bahrain or the Middle East.

"We were sold out, and we're in a global sport, so we need to see the timezone and see what works.

"Selfishly, I would say, it makes better sense for the people in Bahrain to be on the weekend. Internationally, I don't know the answer.

"But we'll ask, and we'll see with the guests, and if they prefer that, and it fits in, then we'll have that discussion [with F1]."

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