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Tickets go on sale for F1 pre-season testing, Bahrain announces contract extension

The Bahrain International Circuit has released tickets for this year’s Formula 1 pre-season testing, while it has also been announced that F1 will continue to race at the Sakhir-based track until at least 2036. 

The second round of pre-season testing will take place March 10-12, with those who have already purchased tickets to the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix able to gain access to testing for free. This applies to anyone who buys tickets to the GP before March 1. 

For those who have not bought tickets to the grand prix, tickets are available to buy to watch testing for as little as BD5 (£9.82/€11.73/$13.26) per day, per adult. 

While the first day of testing will not be open to the public, F1 fans will be able to attend on March 11-12, with gates opening from midday until 7pm. 

It was also recently announced that an extension had been made to the contract with Bahrain’s race promoter, the Bahrain International Circuit, meaning Formula 1 will race in the country until 2036.

The Bahrain GP will take place soon after pre-season testing as the first race on the F1 calendar in 2022. 

Formula 1 has featured in Bahrain since 2004 and is using the news of a contract extension to align with its environmentally sustainability ideals. 

In 2022, the race will be powered by energy coming from sustainable sources, as race organisers and Formula 1 management plan to hold a race that is net zero carbon emissions by 2030. 

Formula 1 chief executive and president Stefano Domenicali said: “I am delighted we will be racing at the Bahrain International Circuit until 2036 where more incredible racing and excitement will be on show to thrill our fans.

“Since 2004 we have had some fantastic races in Sakhir and we cannot wait to be back there for the start of the 2022 championship as we begin a new era for the sport. 

“Bahrain was the first country in the Middle East to welcome Formula 1 and it has a very special place in our sport, and I personally want to thank HRH Prince Salman and his team for their dedication and hard work throughout our partnership and look forward to many years of racing ahead of us.” 

Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, chief executive of Bahrain International Circuit, added: “After 18 years of F1 racing, we are proud to have played a part in F1’s rich history and we are now looking forward to continuing to build on that heritage well into the future. 

“The growth and interest in motorsport in Bahrain and the Middle East has significant momentum, with a new generation of fans embracing our great sport and we look forward to continuing that progress.”

Image: Habeed Hameed/CC BY-SA 2.0/Edited for size