Record crowd for Bahrain GP

Bahrain's best ever Formula One attracted almost 100,000 fans over the three days – up almost 10,000 on the previous year.

Organizers were delighted the fifth Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix brought in a record crowd of 99,981 and hoped next year to smash through the 100,000 mark.

Attendance records were broken every day of the event, with 23,500 on Friday, 33,500 on Saturday and 42,981 people attending the final race day of the Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) yesterday.

"I think the race speaks for itself," said Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa following the race.

"The spirit that has been displayed by the fans, the whole participation by the international community and the interest we generated has been fantastic for the sport and fantastic for us in Bahrain."

The Crown Prince welcomed the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix next year, adding that he was very happy the Gulf was becoming a motorsport destination.

"I think the more we have the better," he said.