Crown Prince: F1 race reflects Bahrain’s commitment to fostering economic opportunities

Manama, Apr. 3 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, today participated in the 2016 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix award ceremony. His Royal Highness presented the race trophies to the winner, Nico Rosberg from the Mercedes Petronas team, runner-up Kimi Raikkonen from the Scuderia Ferrari team, and third-placed Lewis Hamilton from the Mercedes Petronas team. Following the trophy ceremony, the Crown Prince highlighted that the F1 race is testament to Bahrain’s firm commitment to fostering substantial economic opportunities, and added that this principle continues to inform every aspect of the Kingdom’s sustainable development efforts. His Royal Highness noted that Bahrain has a long-standing reputation as a regional innovator, which also extends tomotorsport as Bahrain was the first in the region to hold an Formula One race. The Crown Prince also highlighted that since the construction of the Bahrain International circuit (BIC) in 2004, which was completed in an impressive 16-month period, the track has steadily provided new growth opportunities for the Kingdom’s tourism sector, which is a vital pillar of Bahrain’s economic diversification strategy. The Crown Prince concluded by extending his appreciation and thanks to the BIC staff and partners for their successful organisation of the race, and praised the many Bahraini volunteers who worked throughout the weekend and acted as global ambassadors for the Kingdom.