The Bahrain International Circuit has welcomed the news that the track will host the opening round of the 2010 championship. The event, to be held at the Sakhir circuit on March 14, will replace Australia as the season-opening race, with Melbourne moved to second place on the schedule.
"It is fantastic that almost six years to the day that His Majesty The King Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa was handed the keys of the completed Sakhir Circuit that we will be the first race of the 2010 season, in what will be such an important year for both Formula One and our title sponsor Gulf Air," said BIC CEO Martin Whitaker.
"It's a great honor to host the first race and this truly cements our place as the home of motorsport in the Middle East. Bahrain has earned the title "The Friendly Race" and we are looking forward to extending the traditional warm welcome to everyone in 2010.
"March 14th will witness the start of a new era in Formula 1 racing and a spectacular 60th anniversary celebration of F1 and our race sponsor Gulf Air."