Bahrain swung into pole position today following an announcement that the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) would officially kick off the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship season.
The dramatic announcement was made by the FIA World Council when the eagerly anticipated racing calendar was announced at its meeting in Rome, Italy today.
It will be the first time that Bahrain kicks off an international series of such global significance – and the announcement, which comes only two years after Bahrain became the first Arab country to ever host a Formula One event, marks an impressive achievement for the Kingdom and the Sakhir circuit.
“We are all very, very proud of this announcement and the confidence that Formula One has in the people of Bahrain to stage the first race,†said BIC General Manager, Martin Whitaker. “The first race of the year always attracts considerable media attention and next year will be no exception with added interest in new teams, drivers, sponsors, engines and regulations. The eyes of the World will be upon us on March 12th,†he said.
The 2006 Formula One calendar announced yesterday includes 19 races. Malaysia is next on schedule as it hosts the second race on March 19 followed by Australia on April 2.
The Kingdom of Bahrain has a long term agreement with Formula One to stage the only Grand Prix in the Middle East region. The announcement in Rome signifies further good news for the Bahrain International Circuit that is fast becoming one of the World’s premier venues for motorsport and corporate entertainment.
Last month the circuit announced the signing of a five year deal to host the Vee Eight Supercar Championship from Australia and in just over two weeks holds a long awaited FIA International Drag Racing Exhibition event on the popular Sakhir strip.
“This is certainly a huge step forward not only for us at the BIC but also for the Kingdom of Bahrain and the region’s motorsport industry at large,†said Whitaker. “This is an unprecedented opportunity for us to showcase our organisational and technical abilities on the World’s most prestigious motorsport stage. The Kingdom of Bahrain is now an established member of the World’s most exclusive club and the season opener is an opportunity for the country to showcase its ability to a global audience as well as blue chip investors from all over the world,†he said.
The announcement comes directly on the back of a year in which Formula One has bounced straight back to the top of the sporting ratings. An intensely close fought season witnessed the crowning of the youngest World Champion ever in the form of Spaniard Fernando Alonso while Renault wrestled the Constructors’ Championship title away from McLaren at the very last race in China. The season also saw the end of Ferrari’s dominance and the potential of a new season with fresh driver line-ups, new engines and new regulations is a mouth watering one that fans will be anticipating the world over. The start of the new Formula One racing season in Bahrain promises to be exceptionally dramatic.
“The first race of the season is traditionally one of the most exciting,†said Whitaker. “It is eagerly anticipated around the world and it is great to think that we will have hundreds of millions of TV viewers glued to their television screens watching the race as it unfurls here in Bahrain,†he said. “Last year’s Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix proved an outstanding success with almost every available seat sold out. We are confident that the buzz that is already growing for the forthcoming race will make this the most successful to date, give us the opportunity to display the friendliness and hospitality of the Bahraini people while also making the Kingdom proud,†he said.
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For more information, please contact Bahrain International Circuit, Public Relations Department, Shereen or Maya at Tel: +973-1745 1037/1013 fax: +973-1745 1112 e-mail: s.bushehri@bic.com.bh
