Gulf Air has signed a new five-year deal with the Formula One Association
extending the existing sponsorship of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.

Gulf Air has been the title sponsor of the Bahrain Grand Prix since it made history
in April 2004 as the first Formula OneTM Grand Prix to be held in the Middle East at
the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC). Since then the airline has been
instrumental in the success of the event and the economic benefits it has brought to
the Bahrain economy.  The race has also become a firm favourite amongst fans from
all over the world and Gulf Air is proud to have brought so many first-time visitors
to Bahrain to watch the race and enjoy the many other world-class facilities the
country offers.

Speaking during a signing ceremony in Shanghai prior to the 2008 Formula 1 Sinopec
Chinese Grand Prix, Gulf Air Chief Executive Mr. Björn Näf said, “We are delighted
and proud to extend our association with the sport of Formula OneTM. Business
Friendly Bahrain is the home of motorsport in the Middle East and our continued
alliance with this world-class event reinforces our pioneering spirit and our
support of the growth and development of the Kingdom of Bahrain.”

 

Gulf Air is a proud ambassador for Bahrain and takes its role in supporting the
country’s diversification in areas such as tourism very seriously.  Motorsport
events such as the F1 draw thousands of fans from across the Middle East and the
international community allowing the Kingdom to reap the associated economic
benefits.  Indeed, Bahrain is experiencing a real boom in tourism and business
travel and Gulf Air is a hugely important part of that.  We look forward to
welcoming visitors to Bahrain, whether Formula One related or not for many years
to come.” concluded Mr.Näf.

 

Welcoming e nocentFotlOnGrp O . rn Eleon
sa:�e
e li@teth G� r s teedts�t snssh othFo@ul1 lfirahinra Px.Thra iBaaiisnef e
ghgh othF�ul@Ontmcandar and I ai looking forward to going back there in April for the 2009
Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grqnd Pzix”

 

Commenting on the signe$ agreement, Patrick McNally, Chief Executive of Allsport
Management$welcomed Gulf Air’s`continued support saying:  “Gulf Air has a 58 year
history in the aviation industry and one of the largest networks across the Middle
East. We are therefore excited and privileged that they will continue as title
sponsors of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Investing in Formula One(tm) continues to make
financial sense for companies and the airline’s participation in this international
sporting event, followed by millions of people around the world, offers Gulf Air the
opportunity to embrace a global audience, building its brand globally and drive
sales.”

 

Gulf Air’s sponsorship of the Bahrain Grand Prix is one of a number of
sports-related sponsorship deals that the airline is involved in.  It is also the
Shirt Sponsor for Queens Park Rangers Football Club in the UK, a relationship that
not only raises the profile of the airline in a key market, but also brings benefits
to the local Bahrain community in the form of joint initiatives and programmes
between the club and the airline.
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