SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2021 12 Aston Martin F1 team set sights on GP CEO and team principal Otmar Szafnauer says they are ‘well placed’ for the upcoming start to the 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship at BIC later this week

be part of their return to For- are now available for all COV- New driver tandem mula One after an absence of ID-19 vaccinated or recovered • 61 years. individuals. They are being of four-time world I love the history of “We will certainly make a sold at a single discounted champion Sebastian motor racing and big effort to deliver some good price of BD100 across stands Vettel and promising Aston Martin is one of results together and have fun for the three-day event. Com- youngster Lance Stroll the great names of the doing it.” prehensive measures will be in Canadian driver Stroll, 22, is place at the circuit at all times rack up 1,699 kilometres past so it is fun to be upbeat heading into his fifth F1 to ensure spectators can enjoy of pre-season testing part of their return to season, and is hoping to contin- the excitement of F1 in a safe at BIC last week in after an ue on the momentum he had environment. their AMR21 car absence of 61 years. towards the end of the 2020 Tickets can be purchased We will certainly make championship, which included online at BIC’s official website, a big effort to deliver his third career podium at the bahraingp.com, or at BIC’s new- Aston Martin F1 inaugural F1 Rolex Sakhir Grand ly opened stand at City Centre set• to line up on the some good results together and have fun Prix. Bahrain, located on the ground grid with the other “The new name is exciting floor near gate number three Otmar Szafnauer watches from the doing it A bird’s eye view of for everyone and there’s a mas- in the West Court. The stand is top-flight teams’ for Aston Martin pit wall during last week’s exiting his team garage during testing SEBASTIAN VETTEL sive buzz around the factory,” he operational every day between F1 pre-season tests at BIC at BIC season-opening race said. “There’s so much energy 10am and 10pm. under BIC’s bright lights The Aston Martin brand is now got a vast amount of data to four Formula One teams and for behind us and I’m proud to be Aside from the racing, attend- making a return to F1 racing fol- digest before we come back here many years, starting a new sea- representing this great brand as ees will be able to enjoy a wide F1 Bahrain lowing a 61-year absence, and for the race. son with a new team still gives it returns to Formula 1. array of fun activities across Grand• Prix less than a Szafnauer was satisfied with “One of the main tasks was me a sense of excitement,” said “There will be higher ex - BIC’s F1 Village vending area, their three-days of pre-season to continue helping Sebastian the 33-year-old German, who pectations this year for several including a selection of wild week away; COVID-19 testing at Bahrain International settle into the team and we’ve shares the record with most reasons – including the team outdoor rides and fun activities vaccinated or recovered Circuit (BIC) held Friday to Sun- made a lot of progress already. wins in the Bahrain Grand Prix name – and I see 2021 as a huge for the whole family. All these fans urged to get their day last week. Then, the team’s Lance was able to conduct our with four (2012, 2013, 2017 and opportunity for us to score some attractions and so much more tickets now for the new driver tandem of four-time programme as planned [on Sun- 2018). great results. await everyone at BIC this year’s world champion Sebastian Vettel day], gaining some useful data on “As a driver, I have always “We had real momentum at F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix three-day event! and promising youngster Lance the long runs, race simulations kept my eye on the competition the end of 2020 and I believe we weekend. The entire circuit will Stroll racked up 1,699 kilometres and shorter runs too. and this team has consistently can hit the ground running this be bustling with excitement, all TDT | Manama of running in their AMR21 car. “It leaves us well placed to impressed me with what they year too.” while ensuring that the event Following the tests, Szafnauer come back here for the race later have been able to do without the Aston Martin will be lining proceeds in a safe environment ston Martin F1 Team CEO described the sessions as “a pret- this month.” biggest of budgets.” up on the BIC grid in its striking and in line with government and team principal Ot- ty busy week where we learned Vettel totalled 117 laps in the green livery at the highly antici- health advice. Amar Szafnauer says they a huge amount despite a few car over three days, and is look- History pated F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand For full eligibility criteria for are “well placed” for the upcom- challenges here and there”. ing forward to the new campaign Vettel continued: “I love the Prix 2021, which takes place at those wishing to buy tickets ing start to the 2021 Formula He commented: “Between with the fifth team of his illustri- history of motor racing and As- BIC less than a week away this to attend the race, or for other 1 season in Bahrain later this them, Lance and Sebastian cov- ous F1 career. ton Martin is one of the great coming Friday to Sunday. information on the event, visit week. ered a total of 314 laps and we’ve “Even though I have raced for names of the past so it is fun to Tickets to the race weekend bahraingp.com.

Najma keep Nationals gear up for June joint-qualifiers handball finals hopes alive with Bahrain national football team head coach Helio Sousa hopes to make the most of home field when win over Ahli Kingdom hosts remaining qualifying matches for World Cup, Asian Cup TDT | Manama

“It was good to hear that we efending champions Al Sousa hopeful that will be hosting, and for sure all DNajma edged past Al • It is good to play at departments will do our best Ahli 25-22 last night to send spectators can be to receive the countries that their best-of-three Golden present at June games, home; with fans, even will come here, to give the best Square semi-final series if the situation permits, better. We hope at that accommodation, training con- to a decisive third game in under a plan similar to time it will be possible ditions possible for them and the 2021 Bahrain Handball for it to happen—similar for us, and to have a great mi- League. that for fans attending with what will happen ni-tournament here with good The game was played at the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain with Formula 1—that football and try to achieve each the Bahrain Handball As- Grand Prix 2021 it will be possible country [what] they are propos- sociation (BHA) arena in Um to execute the same ing to.” Al Hassam. Potuguese tactician The Bahrainis are currently Najma built a 13-8 lead • situation in June with in a local training camp, super- at the half and were able confident that the football and other vised by Sousa and his technical to hold on to their advan- Bahrain will provide sports too staff. The gathering is to contin- tage in the match’s final 30 best conditions for Bahrain’s internationals compete in a scrimmage at their camp HELIO SOUSA ue until the end of the month, minutes. all participating and it includes two international Bahrain national team Cup 2023 later this June. “It is good to play at home; qualifiers; many restrictions in friendly matches in the com - star Ali Eid was the main national teams in He noted, however, that wher- with fans, even better,” Sousa many countries, and even some ing week-and-a-half. Bahrain man for Najma, scoring 12 of ‘mini-tournament’ ever they would have needed to said. “We hope at that time it players [need] to come from out- will first play their counter - his team’s goals in the win. play, the Bahrainis would still be will be possible for it to hap - side their countries as they are parts from Syria on Thursday, For Ahli, Sadeq Ali fired in Bahrainis continue giving their full effort. pen—similar with what will playing outside, so it is difficult followed by a tune-up against six goals while three others preparations• for “It is what it is; it is good we happen with Formula 1—that for many countries, even for us,” Jordan on March 30. Both games had three apiece. will stay home, but we already it will be possible to execute Sousa said. will be held at the National Sta- With yesterday’s result, international friendless did good work and good results the same situation in June with “Almost for sure [the games dium in Riffa. Najma were able to bounce at home against Syria in Bahrain and outside of Bah- the football and other sports would be] postponed to June, Sousa has named 26 players back from a game one loss, on Thursday and rain,” Sousa was quoted as say- too.” and we proposed to be one of for the local camp, which is their where they fell by just two Jordan on March 30 ing. “We will deal with what we The June matches include the countries to organise. I think second gathering of the year. goals, 30-32. have.” postponed qualifiers that were we have ideal conditions to do it, It is being held as part of their The winner of the third The Portuguese tactician is supposed to be held this month. and it was accepted by most of preparations for the two friendly and final game, which has TDT | Manama hopeful that the current health Aside from Bahrain, Group C the countries.” games, as well as their official yet to be scheduled by situation improves by then also includes Iraq, Iran, Hong matches coming up later this the BHA, will move on to ahrain head coach Helio and fans will be able to attend Kong and Cambodia. Sousa ad- Best conditions year. the championship round. Sousa is pleased that the those matches. He noted that mits that presently it would have Sousa noted that he is cer - These include their three re- There, they will face the BKingdom was selected as a scheme could be put in place been difficult for the competing tain that all will be done by the maining joint-qualifiers, which, victor in the other Golden the centralised venue to host that is similar to one that allows national teams to go through Bahrain Football Association as currently scheduled, are Square clash between Sa- the national team’s remaining for spectators at the Formula with their scheduled games. to have a safe and comfortable against Cambodia on June 3, maheej and Barbar. Barbar joint-qualifiers for the FIFA 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix “It is very difficult, almost im- setting for all the participating Iran on June 7 and then Hong won the opening game 35- World Cup 2022 and AFC Asian 2021 this upcoming weekend. possible, to play at this time the national teams. Kong on June 15. 29.

Hon. Chairman Najeb Yacob Alhamer | Editor-in-Chief Mahmood AI Mahmood | Chairman & Managing Director P Unnikrishnan Advertisement: Update Media W.L.L | Tel: 38444692, Email: [email protected] | Newsroom: Tel: 36458345, Email: [email protected] Subscription & circulation: Tel: 36458394 | Email: [email protected] | Website: www.newsofbahrain.com | Printed and published by Al Ayam Publishing