HM the King attends Bahrain Grand Prix

Manama, Apr.19 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa has today attended the apotheosis of the 2015 Gulf Air Bahrain F1 Grand Prix, held this evening at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC). HM the King was received on arrival by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister. HM the King exchanged cordial talks with former Spanish King Juan Carlos, His Highness Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, His Royal Highness Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan Al-Saud, Shaikh Hamad bin Faisal Al-Thani, Shaikh Nawaf bin Nasser bin Khalid Al-Thani, Ahmed Senoussi and his son Abduljalil, Sami Taman, Simon Mail and Peter Sincock. HM the King welcomed them all and thanked them for attending the global motorsport event, hailing strong relations bonding Bahrain and their respective countries. At the end of the race, HM the King paid tribute to HRH the Crown Prince for his fruitful efforts and strenuous endeavor to consolidate Bahrain's standing in the international sport arenas. He thanked the BIC employees for their dedicated efforts to ensure all facilities to visitors and tourists, which contributed to the success of the global sporting championship, hailing the Government and other departments for their partnership and sustained follow-up. HM the King hailed the Kingdom's success in hosting the Gulf Air Bahrain F1 Grand Prix since its inception eleven years ago, which put Bahrain on the internal sport map and revitalized the economic and tourism sectors. "Such a global sporting event offers a good opportunity to strengthen bonds of friendship and bolster cooperating and consolidate culture between peoples and countries", he said, paying tribute to the International Automobile Federation (FIA), the participating teams, sponsors and the BIC for their role in the success of the event. HM the King congratulated the winners and wished the other participating teams better luck in upcoming GP championships, hailing their fair play as they competed for the trophy. "Bahrain takes pride in being at the crossroad of civilizations and a beacon of communication and tolerance", HM the King said, adding that the Kingdom will always remain a model of tolerance and amity between people