7 TidBits from the Bahrain Grand Prix Formula One Race You May Have Missed · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

The Bahrain International Circuit hosted the F1 Grand Prix today. Photo credit: @BAH_Int_Circuit
Bahrain hosted the Grand Prix Formula One race today. Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg won the race, followed by Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen in second place and Lewis Hamilton, also Mercedes, in third.
Here are seven tidbits shared by F1 champions on the Bahrain race.
Gold Cutlery for F1 Drivers:
According to race champion Nico Rosberg, he had to rummage through his breakfast in gold cutlery. He even shared the photograph with his 1.2 million followers on Twitter. To his credit, he did remember those less fortunate.
Golf cutlery for F1 drivers in Bahrain. Photo credit: @nico_rosberg
CRAZY!!! GOLD Bahrain Breakfast!
Made me want to do good. Check out @ShareTheMealorg app!https://t.co/bEa34Aj49D pic.twitter.com/6T8UKUbbSY
— Nico Rosberg (@nico_rosberg) March 31, 2016
Lewis Hamilton the Arab Sheikh:
Lewis Hamilton dressed up in Arab garb as he made his entry into the circuit and loved it. He brags to his 3.6 million followers on Twitter that wearing the long flowing white robe made and Arab head gear made him feel “royal”:
Nothing but love and respect for this culture, and Bahrain!! Feeling royal! 🇧🇭🇧🇭🇧🇭 #BahrainGP #LetsGO #TeamLH pic.twitter.com/CsyHpPrvol
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) April 3, 2016
Skydiving in Bahrain is Fun:
Still with Hamilton, he went indoor skydiving in Bahrain and tweeted the experience, which he described as “so much fun”:
Indoor skydiving today in Bahrain!!! So much fun!https://t.co/Ut9nRpMKbr
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) March 29, 2016
Alonso had a Cake Car:
Spaniard Fernando Alonso couldn't get into the racing car because he did not pass his medical. But he did get a car cake, which he shared with his 2.4m followers on Twitter:
#BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/c0wBUbnSnf
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) April 2, 2016
Spectacular Scenery of the Desert:
French driver Romain Grosjean shares a photograph he says is of Bahrain from the sky and describes the dusty blob of desert as a “wonderful view”:
Arrived in Bahrain. Wonderful views from the sky today ;) #r8g #f1 #BahrainGP #views pic.twitter.com/X2oJpuo8Gp
— Romain Grosjean (@RGrosjean) March 30, 2016
Rain Vs Sandstorm:
And what's a desert without a good sandstorm? Luckily, there was a bit of rain on the first day of the qualifying runs, and no sandstorm. Max Verstappen's met report is not accurate and his worst nightmare didn't come true — but he did finish in sixth place in the race.
No rain expected this weekend. Worst case scenario is a sand storm 😉 #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/hufp3s367n
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) March 31, 2016
Off Track:
Away from the action on the track, muted protests continued in the restive country, where a popular Arab Spring-like uprising in February 2011 was faced by a severe government crackdown.
Many, including Amnesty International, feel the race whitewashes severe human rights abuses which continue to this day. In a statement, it said:
This weekend Bahrain hosts the Formula One Grand Prix, a glamorous event putting the country in the international spotlight. Away from the racing circuit Amnesty International has continued to documented a range of appalling human rights violations.
“Behind the fast cars and the victory laps lies a government that is tightening its chokehold on any remnant of dissent in the country by stepping up arrests, intimidation and harassment of political opposition, critics and activists. The alarming erosion of human rights in Bahrain in recent years means that anyone who dares to criticize the authorities or call for reform risks severe punishment,” said James Lynch, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa.