Bahrain’s first-ever Formula 1 event to be held during Ramadan drew scores of fans from across the kingdom to the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) yesterday during the second round of pre-season testing.
While Ramadan restrictions remained in place for much of the paddock and vending area, diehard motorsport fans became amongst the first in the world to get a close look at the new 2026 F1 cars, before this year’s championship gets underway.
“We had to come out today to get a look at the new cars – I was born near Spa-Francorchamps so Formula 1 is in my blood and I want to pass that onto my children,” Belgian expatriate Nicolas Gardier, 46, told the GDN.
Mr Gardier, who lives in Janabiya, was in the paddock with his wife Gina, 44, as well as their children eight-year-old Noah Ellis and 11-year-old Gabrielle.
Their goal was to get autographs from all 22 drivers on the grid this year, and when they spoke to the GDN, they had collected nine already.
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