Building on success
On 4 April 2004 Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari received the chequered flag to win the Bahrain Grand Prix, the first FIA Formula One World Championship event held in the Middle East.
This symbolic act marked the end of an amazing 16 months — and the beginning of a brilliant future — for Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).
The track was conceived as an integral part of His Highness the Crown Prince Shaikh Salman bin Hamad’s objective of increasing the awareness and profile of the Kingdom.
Designed by Hermann Tilke, the German architect responsible for new GP venues in Malaysia, China, Turkey and Valencia, BIC was scheduled for a two-year build.
But then Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone asked if that schedule could be brought forward — by six months. Without a moments hesitation we agreed.
“There was a flood of press speculation that the track would not be ready for its inaugural Grand Prix,” says Martin Whitaker, BIC’s CEO since August 2004. “But under the guidance of Shaikhs Mohammed bin Isa and Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa it was more than ready.
“It was a period of intense excitement and hard work. The drive to have the circuit finished on time coursed through the veins of everyone connected with it: pride, passion and, ultimately, huge satisfaction in a job well done.”
The first piece of ground was broken in December 2002. The ‘keys’ to the circuit were handed over to His Majesty King Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on 17 March 2004.
In just 16 months, and at a cost of US$150 million, a world-class motorsport facility had risen out of the desert 30km south of Bahrain’s capital city, Manama.
And BIC’s reputation has grown ever since. Its annual Grand Prix is renowned as one of the most friendly, atmospheric and exciting of the season.
And its success — based on the sound foundation of BIC’s friendly and professional staff — has brought other international race series flooding in: international Formula 3, GP2, GP2 Asia, the FIA GT Championship and the BMW World Final have all raced at BIC — and its annual Desert 400 is the only round of the V8 Supercar series held outside Australasia.
BIC has also encouraged local motorsport: its drag strip has given new focus to what has long been a popular sport in the Middle East; its Kart Zone will help unearth young local talent; and its on-site technicians provide vital racing expertise.
Off track, its 4x4 desert obstacle course is home to only the world’s second Hummer Academy and BIC stages events — competitive and corporate — almost every day of the year.
It’s as busy now as it was when it was being built.