Bahrain track to host two pre-season test sessions

Sakhir: The Bahrain International Circuit will host two sessions of preseason testing ahead of next year's Formula One season.

The sessions will run from Feb. 19-22 and Feb. 27 to March 2. The decision to select Bahrain as host was made at a recent meeting by the F1 team principals, organizers said in a statement Friday.

"We are delighted that the teams have decided to choose Bahrain for the all-important last preseason tests," said Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the chief executive of the Bahrain International Circuit. "We believe that it is a testament to the world-class facilities at the BIC and we look forward to welcoming Formula 1 here in February."

The 2014 race will be the 10th anniversary of Bahrain hosting Formula 1, having held the Middle East's first ever F1 race in 2004.