The CEO of the Bahrain International Circuit says he doesn’t fear the Abu Dhabi GP, nor does he believe the small-state must compete against the second middle eastern race.
This comes as the 2011 season begins in just over 60 days, with the first race being held at there, as it has been on several occasions.
“There is definitely no pressure on us,” Shaikh Salman Bin Eisa Al Khalifa told Gulfnews.com.
“Every year we have been happy and we are always trying to raise the bar. We have had fantastic races with great touches.
“I don’t think we are as a culture or a region ready to compete against each other. We are still building the sport together so the more the better.”
Shaikh Salman also admitted that being the opening round of the season was ‘very important’ for them and their sponsors as it gives them increased publicity.
“We’re very proud that the BIC has the opening round of the grand prix. We work very hard to secure the first race with the Formula One management.
“It’s very important to us and our sponsors to be the first race and it means people are talking about the race for three months instead of two weeks, which what happens if we are the third,” he concluded.
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