F1 to race in Bahrain until 2036

14-year contract is the longest deal signed during Liberty Media's reign.

  • Posted: February 11 2022
  • By: PA
F1 to race in Bahrain until 2036

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  • Bahrain has featured on the F1 calendar since 2004
  • Alpine inks deal with BWT
  • AlphaTauri to find logistics solutions with Flex Box

Formula One has announced that the Bahrain Grand Prix will remain on the calendar until 2036.

The contract extension is the longest of F1 owners’ Liberty Media’s five-year reign.

The Sakhir circuit joined the schedule in 2004 during Bernie Ecclestone’s rule, becoming the first F1 race in the Middle East.

The race was cancelled in 2011 amid civil unrest in the country but has been an ever-present on the calendar since.

For the second consecutive season, Bahrain will stage the first race of a record-breaking 23-round campaign, with Max Verstappen opening his championship defence in the Gulf kingdom on 20th March.

"I am delighted we will be racing at the Bahrain International Circuit until 2036 where more incredible racing and excitement will be on show to thrill our fans," said Stefano Domenicali, chief executive of Formula One.

"Since 2004 we have had some fantastic races in Sakhir and we cannot wait to be back there for the start of the 2022 championship as we begin a new era for the sport.

"Bahrain was the first country in the Middle East to welcome Formula One and it has a very special place in our sport, and I personally want to thank HRH Prince Salman and his team for their dedication and hard work throughout our partnership and look forward to the many years of racing ahead of us."

Elsewhere in Formula One, Alpine have announced a new long-term partnership with water treatment technology company BWT ahead of the 2022 season.

As part of the agreement, Alpine will be known as BWT Alpine F1 team and will incorporate the company's iconic prink branding into its 2022 car livery.

The partnership will also have a focus on sustainability, with Alpine joining BWT's ‘Bottle Free Zone’ initiative and aiming to implement a reduction of plastic products across the team.

Additionally, AlphaTauri have announced a new partnership with logistics firm Flex Box.

As part of the deal, Flex Box will receive branding on the team's AT03 car and help AlphaTauri find solutions to logistics challenges.