Gulf Air Sponsors Bahrain's rising motor racing star Hamad Al Fardan

The formal agreement was signed between Gulf Air's Executive Vice President Marketing and Sales Lee Shave and Mr. Al Fardan at a special ceremony held at Gulf Air headquarters in Muharraq.

Under the agreement Gulf Air will cover all his races related travel within the airline's network until February 2008.

On his part, Mr. Al Fardan carries Gulf Air's logo during the races which began earlier this year.

Gulf Air's initiative is part of the ongoing efforts aimed at fostering sports activities in Bahrain, which is home to the motorsport in the Middle East.

"Being the flag carrier, Gulf Air is proud to support Bahrain's world class young racing talent such as Hamad Al Fardan, who is promoting the image of the Kingdom of Bahrain both regionally and internationally," says Acting President and Chief Executive Björn Näf.
"Hamad's (Al Fardan) racing skills are phenomenal and he is one of the brightest prospects for the Kingdom in the field of motorsports and we hope to eventually see him engage in Formula One racing one day".
Gulf Air is the official sponsor of the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix until 2010.

"Wouldn't it be wonderful if with the help of all our support and his natural talent he became Bahrain's answer to Lewis Hamilton," wished Mr. Shave, adding that the Bahraini racer is on the right track to international success and fame.

Mr. Al Fardan completed his first season in single-seater racing at just 16 years of age, racing in the 2004 Formula BMW Asia series.
Competing with team Belgravia, he finished an impressive third in the Rookie Championship.

In 2005, Mr. Al Fardan joined championship winning team Meritus for the Formula BMW Asia title as the second youngest driver in the championship. He finished the season in third place notching up four wins, two pole positions and seven podiums, then moved on in 2006 to New Zealand to compete in the Toyota Racing Series with Meritus.

The Bahraini continues his rise on the Formula Three circuit. He claimed his eight podium finish on the year in British Formula Three Championship (National Class) in the eight round being held at the Silverstone Circuit in the United Kingdom earlier this month.

Mr. Fardan, who started this year's race in 12th position, has moved up to fourth place with overall 121 points.