A ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the McLaren Bahrain Tower, scheduled for Thursday, March 19, has been postponed … the latest high-profile event to be hit by the country’s COVID-19 crackdown.
The McLaren Bahrain Tower, close to the Bahrain International Circuit, boasts an area of approximately 8,000sqm across eight floors and is the brand’s third largest global facility after its technology and production centres in the UK.
Phase I not only sees the relocation of the regional office for McLaren Automotive’ s Middle East, Africa and Latin America division from its temporary home at Bahrain Bay, but also a McLaren Special Operations (MSO) facility on the top floor.
“We regret to inform you that due to the recent COVID-19 situation, we took a difficult decision to postpone the event, until further notice,” said Adam Gron, McLaren Automotive’s retail marketing manager – Middle East, Africa and Latin America
“Our decision supports the continued efforts of Bahrain in ensuring the welfare and safety of its residents.”
The opening of the tower has been described by company executives as making ‘a significant statement’ coinciding with the March 22 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix which will now be held as a ‘participant-only’ event. The race weekend goes ahead as a televised event but all entertainment off the track has been cancelled.
It was felt that given the spread of the virus globally, a major sporting event which attracts thousands of international travellers and local fans to interact in close proximity would not be the right thing to do.
Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat is the majority shareholder of the McLaren Group. Within it, the British sports car marque considers the kingdom its second home.
The automotive wing’s Bahrain-based regional managing director Brett Soso earlier told GDNonline: “Our new brand centre opens up so many opportunities for us. I think it reflects the commitment that shareholders have to the McLaren brand. It is positioned ideally when you think of McLaren’s heritage coming out of Formula One.
“And, I think from a statement perspective, it shows our customers, and our potential ones, that this is a brand going somewhere - that we’re investing in the future, making sure they have the best of the best.
“It’s incredibly exciting to be in that position. We are looking to have a facility that customers can come through, see a bit of the history and understand what the brand is all about. We will have merchandising available, as well as a coffee shop where visitors can relax and enjoy the atmosphere. That will happen during the course of 2020.”
