Bahrain agree record F1 deal

Bahrain Grand Prix organisers have agreed on a new record deal with F1.

The old contract was due to expire in 2026 but the two parties have signed a 10-year extension through to 2036, making the fresh 15-year arrangement the longest in the sport's history with a circuit venue.

Bar a cancellation in 2011 due to a civil uprising, the race at the Sakhir International Circuit has been a permanent fixture on the F1 calendar since its arrival in 2004 when F1 broke new ground in the Middle East.

Through the pandemic in 2020, it staged back-to-back races to help comprise a 17-race calendar - one on its traditional layout and another on the Outer Loop.

Commenting on the new contract, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said: “I am delighted we will be racing at the Bahrain International Circuit until 2036 where more incredible racing and excitement will be on show to thrill our fans.

"Since 2004 we have had some fantastic races in Sakhir and we cannot wait to be back there for the start of the 2022 championship as we begin a new era for the sport.

"Bahrain was the first country in the Middle East to welcome Formula 1 and it has a very special place in our sport, and I personally want to thank HRH Prince Salman and his team for their dedication and hard work throughout our partnership and look forward to the many years of racing ahead of us.”

Chairman of Bahrain International Circuit, Arif Rahimi, added: “It has been a great honour for Bahrain to host Formula 1 since 2004 and we are delighted that this new commitment cements our place on the calendar well into the future.

"Our commitment to motorsport has always been a long-term initiative and I thank Stefano and his team at F1 for putting their faith in us to continue to deliver the pinnacle of global racing at The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East.”

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