22,000 paying spectators attended the opening day of formula one action in Bahrain on Friday.
The figure is 6,000 spectators higher than the previous record for a Friday at the Sakhir circuit, set last year.
Circuit officials said more than 30,000 tickets have been sold for Sunday’s grand prix.
Circuit boss Martin Whitaker said: “Normally Friday is very quiet but I think the change in the weekend (format) has made a big difference.”
