Manama, December 11 (BNA) Bahrain’s key role in the international motorsports community was once again highlighted as teams of professionals from the Bahrain International Circuit led by the Center’s CEO, Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, supported local organizers in Manama. Running the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia for the first time ever.
The highly anticipated event, which marked the 21st and penultimate round of the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship, took place on 3-5 December at the all-new Jeddah Corniche Circuit and garnered high acclaim and huge global interest in the first weekend of its race.
Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, CEO of Bahrain International Circuit, said.
“Our motorsports management expertise has become a major export around the world, with BIC supporting many new races going back to Abu Dhabi in 2009, to other places including Baku and India over the years. I am extremely proud of the level of the team at Center Bahrain International Airport and our ability to offer our expertise at the highest level in the global motorsports industry.”
BIC specialists support local regulators in various fields.
Samantha Samaan, Director of Bahrain International Circuit Operations, led the logistics team at the Bahrain Information Center to coordinate all requirements with logistics, visas and facilities management. The team also supported the preparation and logistical coordination at the race site in addition to sanitation operations led by Mohamed Youssef.
Bishara Abdo Bishara, Senior Director of Safety, Security and Governmental Affairs led his team in consulting and operating security operations and protocols related to COVID-19. The ICT Safety and Security team at the Bahrain Information Center also assisted with the procedures and coordination of the PCR test, test results and appointment services, as well as setting up the racing helpline.
The Managing Director of the Bahrain Information Center, Abdul Rahman Karatta, led the consulting team in the process of receiving and welcoming all arrivals at Jeddah Airport. They also provided support in managing hotel rooms, arrival lists and charter flights.
BIC also provided a support operational team with track sweepers, including providing BIC’s track sweeper.
The support from the BIC comes on the heels of other advisory projects the department has worked on and has become a ‘go to’ team for new venues looking to set up their F1 operations.
In previous years, BIC supported Grand Prix races including Abu Dhabi, Baku and India in their early years.
For the first time in Bahrain, Nadia Al Dhaen, Assistant Director of Media and Public Relations at the Bahrain International Center worked directly with the Formula 1 Department to assist the international broadcasting crews at the TV complex at Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
She became the first Bahraini to work directly in Formula 1 and was approached by the commercial rights holder to support the huge global broadcasting team on the ground in Jeddah.
Al Dhaen has worked at BIC for 14 years and has developed a well-known talent in broadcast management over the past few years.
She was chosen by F1 to support their operations, based on her years of experience.
Broadcasting such an exciting race has achieved record-breaking viewing figures, with Sky UK already recording its highest-ever viewership since it acquired UK F1 rights in 2011.