The extensive, state-of-the-art complex of the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) covers an area of 170 hectares and was designed by German architect Hermann Tilke. Construction time was 16 months and costs ran to 150 million US dollars. The project was supported by Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al Khalifa, Bahrain´s crown prince and a keen motor racing fan. He is also President of the Bahrain Motor Federation.

70,000 cubic metres of concrete and 8,500 tonnes of steel went into building the circuit, along with 82,000 tyres and 5,000 metres of FIA fencing to secure the track. The circuit holds 50,000 spectators, with the grandstand alone accommodating 10,500. There are generous transport links to the track with exemplary signposting.

Bahrain has five circuit variants, the longest being the GP course at 5.412 km. The maximum rising gradient is 3.6 percent and the maximum downward gradient 5.6 percent. There are 15 corners (six left-handers and nine right-handers) and the start/finish straight is 1,090 metres long.

Bahrain has been an Arab Emirate since gaining independence from the British in 1971. The kingdom´s head of state is the Emir, who governs through a cabinet. With a geographical area of 665 square kilometres, the country is spread across 36 islands off the coast of Saudi Arabia. The capital city of Manama is on the main island of Bahrain (578 square kilometres).

Oil has been pumped in Bahrain since 1932, but resources are dwindling. The processing industry as well as rich gas fields and international banking have taken on a growing economic role.

The Emirate has a dry desert climate with very mild winters and hot summers. Last year, the Bahrain Grand Prix was the hottest race of the year with air temperatures hitting 42 degrees Celsius on the Sunday. Temperatures should be lower during the 2006 GP, which takes place four weeks earlier.