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STRONG performances on the track have gained Bahrain's motor racing hopeful Hamad Al Fardan another high profile sponsor.
Gulf Finance House (GFH) this week marked the Formula 3 star's arrival at GP2 Series Asia Champions iSport International, by announcing its lead sponsorship of the team for the 2008/9 season and beyond.
Al Fardan is one of the most successful Arab drivers in the history of motor sport and the first to drive at this level.
The GP2 Series Asia benefits from a strong relationship with Formula 1 and acted as support races on the 2008 programme of Asian Grand Prix. Accordingly, the series is a known proving ground for the elite F1 drivers of tomorrow and a crucial stepping stone in Al Fardan's career.
At the age of just 16, Hamad completed his first season in a single seater in the 2004 Formula BMW Asia Series.
His rise to prominence within the sport has coincided with and encouraged a huge surge in motor racing across the region.
Under the iSport banner, Al Fardan will make his GP2 series debut at the Shanghai International Circuit on October 8/9.
GFH Chairman Esam Janahi commented on the announcement saying: "Hamad represents the kind of pioneering spirit that drives our business philosophy at GFH. His achievements in motor sport offer huge inspiration to Bahrainis of all ages and the wider Arab community who, like us, continue to delight in his success."
Commenting on the deal, iSport International team principal Paul Jackson added: "Middle Eastern motor sport is a huge growth market and GFH is renowned as being one of its principal cheerleaders.
"So we're delighted to welcome their sponsorship of iSport in the forthcoming GP2 Asia Series.
"Hamad is an exciting talent with the potential to become a national sporting star and that could find him behind the wheel if a Formula 1 car in the future."
