Bahrain GP crowd limited to health workers and families

ByReuters

Updated 07/11/2020 at 18:48 GMT

Two back-to-back Formula One grands prix scheduled for Bahrain in November and December will go ahead without a crowd other than the families of frontline health workers and first responders, organisers said on Saturday.

Fernando Alonso (Renault) - Bahrain Test - Photo: Renault F1 Team

Image credit: From Official Website

Only the families of health workers and other essential workers will be allowed to attend this season's two Bahrain Grand Prix.

The races at Sakhir on Nov. 29 and Dec. 6 will be the 15th and 16th of a season hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and come before the final round in Abu Dhabi.

The Bahrain International Circuit said in a statement that the races would be "predominantly without spectators".

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A limited number of grandstand seats would be allocated for the families of health workers "to recognise their incredible contribution and commitment in responding to the pandemic in the Kingdom."

The first floodlit race, the Bahrain GP, will start at dusk on the usual 5.4km layout while the second, the Sakhir GP, will be held entirely at night on the 3.5km outer track that has not been used before for a Formula One race.

Mercedes have already wrapped up the constructors' championship for a seventh year in a row while their driver and reigning champion Lewis Hamilton can take his seventh title in Turkey next week.