Bahrain to get season opener?

After reports that the Australian Grand Prix won’t be the season opener in 2008 for several reasons, one being that they refuse to conduct a night race, it was stated that the Bahrain Grand Prix would take its place as race one. However, the Bahrain International Circuit has now clarified its position following this speculation with Martin Whitaker, Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain International Circuit stating: “Until such time as the official 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar is announced any speculation about the date of next year's Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix has to be discounted. Only when the official calendar is released will the Bahrain International Circuit be in a position to announce the date for the race in 2008."

The Kingdom of Bahrain was honored with staging the opening race of the season in 2006, when the traditional first round host Melbourne had a prior commitment to the Commonwealth Games. Earlier this year Bahrain was able to announce that it had secured a long term agreement with Formula One Management to stage the race at BIC with a contract that will see the Bahrain Grand Prix being staged until deep into the next decade.