Bahrain Formula 1 race scheduled for April

By Mohammed al-Jayousi in Manama
For Al-Shorfa.com
2012-01-05

Bahrain will host a Formula 1 race in April. [File/Al-Shorfa]

The 63rd International Formula 1 championship is scheduled to return to Bahrain as the kingdom will host the fourth round of the racing competition on April 22nd.

Last year's race was cancelled because of security conditions.

Abdulaziz Thawadi, director of the Bahrain Motor Federation, ruled out the possibility of any concerns about security.

"Bahrain has been ready to host the Formula 1 race since last year, and there is no room for the occurrence of any problems that may impede the course of the race this season along with the commitment of all parties concerned to the predetermined timetable," Thawadi told Al-Shorfa.

Bahrain is also committed to applying and implementing all international motorsport laws and legislation passed by the International Automobile Federation (FIA), he said.

Abdul Aziz al-Ashraf, director of the sports channel for Bahrain's Media Affairs Authority, said rescheduling the date of the Bahrain Grand Prix will restore investor confidence and make the kingdom an attractive investment spot and a vital tourist destination. He said many of the Grand Prix's supporting events and activities will revive economic activity.

"Bahrain has regained the well-deserved honour of organising the Formula 1 Grand Prix this year, restoring confidence in the kingdom which is known for its leadership in hosting major international events and turning it into the home of motor sport in the Middle East," al-Ashraf told Al-Shorfa.

He also said it was "critical" that Bahrain "embrace such international events to reflect the kingdom's civilised image".

Bernie Ecclestone, CEO of Formula One, said he hopes the race can be held as scheduled in Bahrain but acknowledged the agency would consider changing the venue again if any concerns about conditions in the kingdom arose, according to an interview he gave the Guardian in December.

Race boosts kingdom's economy

Zayed al-Zayani, chairman of the Bahrain International Circuit, said in statements late last year that the circuit was ready to host the Formula 1 race in April.

Al-Zayani said the competition and other events hosted by the circuit provides a boost to the kingdom's economy as it generates nearly $500 million, attracts more than 100,000 visitors and provides nearly 3,000 jobs.

In early December 2010, FIA approved Grand Prix races in Bahrain and the United States for the world championship's 2012 agenda. The upcoming season includes 20 races, starting with the Australian Grand Prix on March 18th and concluding with the Brazilian Grand Prix on November 25th.

Khaled al-Nasf, a sports analyst and former Bahraini athlete, said the return of Formula 1 to Bahrain is important for the sports community, given that Bahrain will be hosting the championship for the eighth time in its history.

"During the past seven years, Bahrain has been known for its well-organised Formula 1 tournaments to the extent that it received the award for best circuit in the world in terms of organisation more than once. We hope with this auspicious return that Bahrain regains prominence this year," al-Nasf said.

Al-Nasf said there are many advantages to hosting the Formula 1 race in Bahrain, ranging from sporting prestige to economic and trade benefits.

"This is evident given the desire of many countries such as Abu Dhabi, India, the United States, and Singapore to establish new circuits to maximise these benefits," he said.

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جبار2012-03-22 00:01:49

No to establishing this race in the presence of the symptoms of persistent rape and continued murder in Bahrain...The organizers of this event should respect the Bahraini blood.

محمد امين2012-01-21 08:25:29

I think that the government today needs to fulfill its promises and the commitments it made. It needs to start first with the dismissal of this criminal government and the establishment of a new government, made up of all the constituents of the Bahraini people. It also needs to work on holding real elections in Bahrain, without the marginalization of some parties, and also in terms of the appointments. The appointments must be for all the Bahraini people, and should not be limited to a certain sect or doctrine, because it is shameful to continue in this explicit and public way. The others are also the people of this country, and they are also Bahrainis. I think that the Bahraini people will not keep silent this time. They are giving the government the opportunity to reform. This is for the interest of the country and to protect Bahrain. But they will not keep silent the next time, when another revolution will be ignited, and the government will certainly be dissolved if they insist on this. To preserve Bahrain, everybody should cooperate. It is the role of the government now to cooperate and to be honest with the people, just for once.