This year's Gulf Air Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix broke new records, with a crowd of more than 32,000, Industry and Commerce Minister and Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) chairman Zayed Al Zayani said last night.

This is more than last year's record by some margin, he said in a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

"I am proud that the Bahrain Grand Prix continues to go from strength to strength," he said.

BIC chief executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa added: "The 2015 Bahrain Grand Prix yet again reaffirms the fact that the night race is attracting a new breed of fans to F1 in Bahrain.

"I am especially encouraged by the increase in the number of fans from outside of the region who have come to enjoy our Bahraini hospitality.

"I thank the team here at the BIC for their phenomenal efforts in delivering yet another wonderful weekend of racing and entertainment and I also thank our partners and sponsors for their continued support," he said.


Meanwhile, around 400 cases of heat-related exhaustion and flu symptoms were reported during over the weekend.

High temperatures and strong winds off the track forced many fans to seek treatment at Bahrain International Circuit's medical facilities, the race's medical head Dr Amjad Obeid told the GDN yesterday.

Another 100 people, including marshals and F1 team members, were also treated for unrelated illnesses, including a mechanic who cut his hand.

"The medical team comprises about 180 doctors, nurses, paramedics and technicians, with different specialisations," said Dr Obeid.

"Up to yesterday, we had 400 people attending the clinic for spectators.

"In my medical centre, which is mainly for the track, marshals and mechanics, we had almost 100 patients attending.

"None of them had serious injuries, just small wounds and abrasions - like a mechanic working and cut his hand or a burn, but nothing serious that required anyone to be taken to the hospital.

"For spectators, it's usually a simple flu, body ache, headache, as they come for the whole day and get tired.

"The vending area is full of activities so they spend the whole day there.

Instructions

"These are very simple, minor things that were treated by the primary care physicians that didn't need anything else."

He said marshals were given specific medical instructions ahead of the F1 weekend, which ended yesterday.

"We gave them instructions, principles of first aid and how to survive the weekend," he said.

"They were encouraged to increase fluid intake, take salts and juice. Maybe they didn't do it that well on the first day, but (the second day) was fine."

He said he was responsible for the medical inspection of the track, alongside an official from the FIA.

"We have to make sure that every medical team is available on track with the right position that was already approved by the FIA and myself," he said.

"We go on track and look at turn one and see the location number one, alpha number one, medical team number one and make sure they're the same number, then go to all the tents and finally the medical centre as well, with the air evacuation team.

"Once the FIA medical delegate is happy and says it's ready, he gives the green light to the race director and tells them that it's ready and that we can go ahead with the race." - TradeArabia News Service