Bahrain would like to open the F1 season again

The Australian Grand Prix has been the first Grand Prix of each Formula 1 season since 1996, except for two years, in 2006 and 2010, when this honor went to Bahrain, on the F1 calendar since 2004. The rest of the time, the race held in Sakhir has been among the first races—except for the 2011 edition, canceled following the “Arab Spring”—but its owner would like to regain the status of the opening Grand Prix.

« It’s good to start the season here, it gives us a chance to have the teams here longer, there is more anticipation, more unknowns, how the cars will react with the new tires, the rules, the drivers are just getting into the rhythm. But the decision is not entirely ours. We are thinking about 2014 and beyond, but it’s too early to discuss the 2014 calendar. We are open to any proposals, » Zayed Alzayani shared in the paddock of the Sakhir circuit, which he manages.

The calendar of the Formula 1 World Championship is the prerogative of Bernie Ecclestone’s Formula One Management, and the latter is not opposed to this idea, as he told Reuters: « We could do it, I think. We have to look into it. »

In order to tip the scales a bit more in his favor, Zayed Alzayani would like to pair the status of the first Grand Prix of the season with that of hosting the final pre-season testing session. This has happened in the past, in 2008, when Ferrari and Toyota traveled to Bahrain for a testing session. Another session could have been held in Bahrain in 2011, but it was ultimately canceled and relocated to Barcelona.

« The only problem we have – not us, but the teams – is the cost of logistics to come here and return to Europe. It’s one of the advantages of having the first race, as they can come for the last tests and then leave their equipment here until the race weekend, » added Alzayani.