New Bahrain International Circuit lighting system launched by Crown Prince clears the way for the Middle East’s first complete F1 night race

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister today launched a new permanent lighting system at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) which will see the Middle East’s first full length Formula 1 night race held in Bahrain this April.

The state-of-the-art lighting system, the most dramatic upgrade in the BIC’s decade long history, was first unveiled in November 2013 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Formula 1 in Bahrain and was officially activated in a ceremony by His Royal Highness today.

The new lighting system, which consists of 495 light posts positioned around the track – powerful enough to turn night into day – will enable the night race to be filmed in HD.

At the start of the event, His Royal Highness stated that the new lighting system is a highly significant upgrade for the BIC and demonstrates the Kingdom’s commitment to promoting motorsport in the Middle East.

His Royal Highness also emphasised that motorsport remains an important contributor to the Kingdom’s economy.

The light posts stand between 10 and 45 metres high, produce 4,500 luminaries and require 500km of cabling around the circuit to allow drivers to race through dusk and into the night.

The system can also be rearranged to accommodate a variety of international, regional, and national racing formats at the BIC. Other upgrades at the Circuit include refurbishing the spectator and vending areas.

The launch was also attended by government officials, BIC board members and business leaders in the Kingdom. Following the launch, His Royal Highness and other attendees viewed aerial shots of the newly lit circuit.