Formula One news

Drivers praise Bahrain circuit after first laps

Arial view of Bahrain circuit

BMW WilliamsF1 test driver Marc Gené and former F1 star Jean Alesi both praised the new Bahrain Formula One circuit at Sakhir to the south of capital Manama, after completing the first laps during the official opening ceremony on Wednesday.

"It's a world class circuit and I really enjoyed driving it," Gené said after completing a few laps at the wheel of a 2003 BMW WilliamsF1 FW25 car. "It will be a challenging Grand Prix here for sure and we just might witness one of the best races ever."

Meanwhile Alesi lapped the circuit in a Mercedes sports car and a 1954 Mercedes F1 car as driven by legend Juan Manuel Fangio.

"This track will make many F1 hosts cry," Alesi said. "It's so modern and so beautiful."

Alesi was also confident the circuit would offer more exciting racing saying, "The track requires longer, heavier braking around the bends and there will be good overtaking opportunities."

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