Bahrain : Bahrain’s key role in the international motorsport community has been highlighted once again, as teams of professionals from Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), led by BIC Chief Executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, supported local organisers in the running of the first-ever Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The highly anticipated event, which marked the 21st and penultimate round of the 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, took place 3 to 5 December at the all-new Jeddah Corniche Circuit and received high acclaim and major global attention for its debut race weekend.
Sheik Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of Bahrain International Circuit, said:
“It was a great honour to be asked to support the organisers of the first ever Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which is a testament to the experience and professionalism of the team at BIC.
Our expertise in motorsport management has become a major export around the world, with the BIC having supported many new races going back to Abu Dhabi in 2009, to other venues including Baku and India over the years.
I am deeply proud of the calibre of the team at BIC and our ability to offer our expertise at the highest level of the global motorsport industry.”
BIC professionals supported the local organisers in various areas, including:
BIC Circuit Operations Director Samantha Semaan led BIC’s logistics team in coordinating all requirements with logistics, visas and facility management.
The team also supported the logistical setup and coordination at the race venue as well as sanitation processes, led by Mohammed Yousef.
BIC Safety and Security and Governmental Affairs Senior Manager Beshara Abdu Beshara led his team in the consultancy and operation of security processes and COVID-19 related protocols.
BIC’s Safety and Security ICT team also assisted in the procedures and coordination of PCR testing, test results and appointments services, as well as establishing the race helpline.
BIC Administration Director Abdulrahman Qarata led his team in the Meet and Greet process for all those arriving at Jeddah Airport. They also supported in the management of hotel rooms, arrivals lists and charter flights.
BIC also provided an operational team which supported track sweeping, including the provision of the BIC’s track sweeper.
The support provided by BIC follows a number of other consultancy projects that the circuit has worked on and has become a “go to” team for new venues looking to set up their F1 operations.
In previous years, BIC has supported Grands Prix including Abu Dhabi, Baku and India in their early years.
BIC Media Specialist becomes first Ever Bahrani to work for F1
In a first for Bahrain, BIC Media and Public Relations Assistant Manager Nadia Al Dhaen worked directly for Formula One Management to assist international broadcast crews at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit’s TV Compound.
She became the first ever Bahrani to work directly for Formula 1 and was approached by the commercial rights holder to support its massive global broadcast operations team on the ground in Jeddah.
Nadia Al Dhaen has worked for BIC for 14 years and has developed a well-known talent in broadcast management over the last few years. She was selected by F1 to support their operations, based on her years of experience.
The broadcasting of such a thrilling race delivered record-breaking viewing figures, with Sky UK already having reported its highest ever audience since it took the UK rights for F1 in 2011.
