Cover Story

Jack up the party!

January 29 - February 04 , 2020
904 views
Gulf Weekly Jack up the  party!

Gulf Weekly Naman Arora
By Naman Arora

Afrojack is the top musical act announced for this year’s Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, slated to perform on Friday, March 20, writes Naman Arora.

Named one of the top DJs in the world, Afrojack is also one of the most sought-after producers today. He has won a Grammy for his and David Guetta’s remix of Madonna’s Revolver.

Since making his breakthrough with the multi-platinum-selling single Take Over Control in 2010, the Dutch-born musician has produced tracks including David Guetta’s number one smash Titanium (feat. Sia) and co-created hits for Beyoncé, Pitbull, and will.i.am.

In the last four years, Afrojack placed on the Forbes ‘30 Under 30’ list, and became the second DJ ever to cement his hands into the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Amongst the other attractions at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) over the race weekend are carnival games, children’s play areas, stage acts and roaming acts. The roaming acts will include renowned street performer Abraham Thill, a life-sized toy brigade, a hot air balloon travelling parade, the Funky Style band from Italy, Jam Batucada musical show from Spain as well as long-time favourites Dr Bubbles and Pop the Balloonman, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.

For the second year in a row, BIC will be open to the public from Thursday. Fans will be able to enjoy the vending area, participate in a walk down pit lane and experience family entertainment.

This year, some of the biggest attractions include the 42-metre high Ferris wheel and the carousel-like “Ghost Rider” speed ride.

BIC’s chief executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, said: “This year will mark some major milestones, with the 70th anniversary of both F1 and our partners at Gulf Air. We are truly celebrating in style with Afrojack as our major concert act, together with an amazing mix of other entertainment and racing.

“On the racing side, we are delighted to be welcoming F3 for the first time, together with the return of F2. With 52 cars taking to the grid in these feeder series, drivers will be pushing the limits to prove themselves and progress to the ultimate level of F1.”

Formula 2 and Formula 3 will be holding their season-opening rounds in Bahrain in support of Formula 1. Both series are considered stepping stones to the top flight, giving race fans an exciting look at the sport’s future stars.

The Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East will also be holding the final round of its 2019/2020 season during Grand Prix weekend.

Gulf Air’s deputy chief executive officer Captain Waleed Al Alawi added: “This is an exciting time for Gulf Air and for the Kingdom of Bahrain as a whole as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the airline and Formula 1 as a sport.

“We are delighted to once again welcome visitors to the Kingdom to attend the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2020. There’s so much to look forward to this year and, on behalf of Gulf Air, we are honoured to be longstanding partners with the Bahrain International Circuit and to bring the Formula 1 Grand Prix to Bahrain year after year, further showcasing Bahrain onto the international stage.”

Shaikh Salman concluded: “We urge fans across the world to get booking their tickets as soon as possible as seats are already selling fast. We look forward to welcoming everyone to BIC for our night-time spectacle in March.”

For a limited period, tickets to this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix are still available with up to 15% off under BIC’s Early Bird promotion.

A Main Grandstand seat now costs BD127.5net down from BD150. A Batelco Grandstand ticket for all four days now costs BD108net, down from BD120. Batelco Grandstand tickets for only Saturday and Sunday are individually priced at BD90net, down from BD100; and Friday-only tickets are BD54net each, reduced from BD60.

A four-day ticket to Turn One Grandstand now costs BD90net, reduced from BD100, and University and Victory Grandstand tickets cost BD54net, down from BD60.

Tickets can be bought online at BIC’s official website www.bahraingp.com, by calling the BIC Hotline on 17450000, or at BIC’s City Centre Bahrain stand.







More on Cover Story