Sheikh buys his way into GP2

Hamad Bin Isa al Khalifa is no stranger to world class racing

In the dawn of the GP2 season opening round in Sakhir, Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, the Crown Prince of Bahrain, bought 30% of the reigning champion team ART Grand Prix. The remaining 70% of the shares are equally split between founder Frédéric Vasseur and Nicolas Todt - the son of Ferrari's CEO, Jean Todt.

The Crown Prince, who is the Honorary President of the Bahrain Motor Federation, aims to promote young and upcoming drivers from the Middle East: "It is my aspiration to see regional drivers at home in the GP2 Series in a few years' time so that the passion for engineering and the drive to win is encouraged in our youth."

It has been announced that there will be no immediate changes in the team's structure. "Due to my many duties, the management of the team will remain in the capable hands of the current organizers," said the Prince.

Frédéric Vasseur is currently in charge of the team and the factory based in the department Yonne (Burgundy, eastern France), while Nicolas Todt, CEO, is in charge of the commercial and marketing side of the organization. German Michael Ammermüller and Brazilian Lucas di Grassi have signed to compete in the 2007 GP2 series with ART Grand Prix.

The French outfit won the GP2 drivers' title in 2005 and 2006 with Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton respectively. ART Grand Prix also won the teams' title both years. Its sister team ASM Formule 3 is undefeated for three years in the Formula 3 Euroseries championship.