Bahrain Accelerates Its Role on the Global Motorsports Stage

Speaking exclusively to TDT, H.E. Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of BIC, shared a candid insight into the spirit that drives Bahrain’s Formula 1 experience from behind the scenes: “You know, it all starts with our people — from the moment guests arrive during Formula 1 week, you’ll see Bahrainis at the airport handling everything with care and humility,” he said. “That sense of kindness, of treating visitors like family, is something quite unique here. Many leave saying they never expected such warmth from a place they didn’t know much about — and that’s when you realise they become ambassadors for our small island.” He added, “Of course, safety is always our top priority. We work on it every year to make sure everything runs smoothly. But beyond that, motorsports is about bringing people together. That spirit of enjoying an event, of feeling part of something, is at the heart of what we do. And it shows — the fact that fans choose Bahrain year after year out of a 23 or 24 race calendar means we’re doing something right.”

The keynote speech by H.E. Shaikh Salman later built on this theme, delivering a compelling reflection on how Bahrain has not only cemented itself on the Formula 1 calendar but also aims to play an even bigger role on the international stage.

The event was well-attended by a diverse group of influential business and financial leaders, including Khalid Humaidan, Governor at the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB); Ali Moosa, Vice President of AmCham; Daniel Taylor, Treasurer of AmCham; and Michel Sawaya, Board Director of AmCham. Also in attendance were Zahra Taher, Secretary of AmCham; Jassim Darwish, Executive Technical Advisor at GPC; Iyadh Borgi, CFO at Zain Bahrain; Ali AlShamma, CFO at Singapore Gulf Bank; Amine El Hajj, Chairman of BNP; Sh. Fahad Al Khalifa; and Laila Danesh of Finmark Communications.

"We’re proud — but we’re not done yet"

In a speech that was part celebration and part rallying cry, H.E. Shaikh Salman reminded attendees of the long road Bahrain has taken since it first embraced motorsports in 1953 through the Bahrain Motor Federation — decades before Formula 1 arrived in 2004.

“Many people think it all started in 2004,” he said. “But our journey began much earlier. We’ve built something special, but we can’t rest. We need to look at what the U.S. is doing with events like the Miami Grand Prix — the scale, the ambition — and push ourselves even further.”

H.E. Shaikh Salman admitted he disliked benchmarking Bahrain against other countries but acknowledged the importance of doing so. “It’s uncomfortable, but necessary. We’re among giants now like the U.S. and the UK, so we have to act like it.”

American viewership, regional pride

H.E. Shaikh Salman noted that over 52 million Americans now follow motorsport, a figure he says "reflects well on the sport and the country." He emphasized the significance of fostering U.S.-Bahrain commercial collaboration, pointing to growing synergies through events like Formula 1 and the expanding footprint of manufacturers like Cadillac.

Bahrain welcomed over 12,000 fans at this year’s Formula 1 Grand Prix, a rise from last year’s attendance and further proof that the island nation is becoming a major attraction in global motorsports.

Local impact, global story

AmCham President Qays Zu’bi highlighted the symbolic importance of McLaren’s victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix in April, praising H.E. Shaikh Salman’s leadership as pivotal to that success. “It’s a proud moment for all of us.”

H.E. Shaikh Salman also spotlighted the pride in having a Bahraini-owned F1 team — McLaren, the oldest team on the grid — and emphasized Bahrain’s unique status in the region. “We’re the only country in the Middle East to own a Formula 1 team. That’s no small feat.”

He closed by highlighting the development of Bahraini talent, particularly the marshals. “In April’s race, so many of our marshals were Bahrainis. That’s what makes this more than just a sport, it’s a national effort.”

Looking ahead

While Bahrain’s motorsports track record already turns heads, the message from the Sheraton ballroom was clear: the Kingdom is shifting gears, not slowing down.

As Bahrain continues to advance its goals of economic diversification and global positioning, the Kingdom seems poised not just to stay on the circuit, but to lead it.