Bahrain Grand Prix Origins

The Government of Bahrain was aware the fortune it amassed through oil was not going to last forever and set about attracting tourism and technological investment to strengthen the economy. A Grand Prix offered them the chance to do exactly that. It was the first F1 circuit in the Middle East and Bahrain defeated a number of other countries that wanted that elusive honour. They handed over a massive amount of money to Formula One Management and spent 150 million dollars on the track designed by Herman Tilke. The results were very impressive though and the circuit is one of two locations known as an 'FIA Centre of Excellence', the other being Paul Ricard. Although construction started in 2002 the facility was not fully ready when the circus arrived in 2004. The race still ploughed ahead, although paint was still wet on some of the buildings. A spray-on adhesive was pioneered that prevented sand from getting onto the circuit.

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