Bahrain F1 chief optimistic after 'tough year'

Bahrain F1 officials have revealed that their decision to pitch for the first race of the 2010 season was prompted by 2,500 tickets going unsold in April due to the blisteringly hot weather.

Martin Whitaker, CEO of the Bahrain International Circuit which hosts the race, said the failure to sell on race day due to the climate came during after a tough first quarter for the company.

"Because we were running in late April and it was very, very hot, we probably lost about 2,500 ticket sales on the actual race day because people decided it was too hot to attend," he said in comments published by Hotelier Middle East.

"That’s one of the reasons we pitched to have the opening race of the season on March 14 next year when it will be much cooler."

He admitted that the first part of 2009 had been a tough one for the company but added that he had seen recent improvements.

"We were trying to sell Grand Prix tickets, mainly corporate lounges and paddock club packages, during January, February and March, which was a very difficult period and we couldn’t have been in the market at a worse time. But in terms of individual ticket sales, things were pretty good. We were down on last year, but not by a lot," he added.

"What we have to do is basically just ‘raise the bar’. It’s been a difficult year in terms of economic issues, and we certainly saw that reflected in our corporate activities during the Grand Prix in April, but that is definitely picking up now.

"We’re expecting a very vibrant last quarter and the beginning of next year is looking even better."

He said he welcomed the introduction of Abu Dhabi to the Formula 1 calendar. The first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is due to take place on November 1, the final race of the season.

"I think that a lot of people see the introduction of a circuit in Abu Dhabi as competition to us. That isn’t the case. We genuinely see the introduction of a circuit in Abu Dhabi as a chance to grow our fan base and create general awareness and interest in the region on a global scale in terms of corporate, entertainment, hospitality and business opportunities."

He added that BIC was working with Abu Dhabi race organisers on bringing a number of international double-header races to the region.

"I meet with them regularly and have a very good relationship with my ‘opposite number’, Richard Cregan. I think there is a very healthy future together, not just in terms of the Grand Prix, but in other events as well," Whitaker added.

He said the Bahrain Grand Prix delivered $560 million worth of economic impact to the kingdom in 2008 and local businesses needed to get more involved to take full advantage of the influx of visitors.

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