Sepang:Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Foreign Affairs Minister of Bahrain, praised the 2026 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix held at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, describing it as a national success and a message of friendship, peace, and cooperation from Bahrain to the world.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Dr. Al Zayani congratulated His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on the success of the event. He emphasized Bahrain's motorsport expertise and the capabilities of its national workforce.
Dr. Al Zayani expressed gratitude to Malaysia, its leadership, and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for their hospitality and support. He commended the collaboration between the Bahrain International Circuit, Sepang International Circuit, Formula 1, the FIA, and participating teams, with Team Bahrain providing organizational, administrative, and logistical expertise honed over more than 20 years. The event drew over 100,000 fans from various nationalities and backgrounds.
He also pointed out that the event coincided with significant developments in Bahrain-Malaysia relations, such as the opening of Bahrain's embassy in Kuala Lumpur and the introduction of direct Gulf Air flights between Manama and Kuala Lumpur, which aim to bolster political, economic, and people-to-people connections.
Dr. Al Zayani highlighted Bahrain's dedication to ongoing coordination with Malaysia through the UN, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the GCC-ASEAN partnership. He noted that the successful hosting of the race underscores the role of sport in fostering friendship and cooperation between nations.