The successful formula used to organise the kingdom’s ‘One Lap Challenge’ in support of Race Against Dementia (RAD) may be replicated across British embassies in countries around the world hosting F1 races.
As reported in the GDN, around 2,000 F1 fans and charity champions from across the kingdom stepped forward at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) to show support and raise funds for the charity.
The event was organised by the British Embassy in collaboration with Formula 1 and the Bahrain Olympic Committee.
“I was quite overwhelmed by the number of people who came out to support the event and the sum of money that we’ve therefore been able to raise,” said British Ambassador Alastair Long. “I would like to extend my huge appreciation to everyone who participated or contributed to the event and cause. Sir Jackie and his son Mark, the chairman of Race Against Dementia, were likewise touched that the people of Bahrain, a place they so care about, had taken up their cause and made this contribution.
“I have written to the global network of British embassies and suggested, to each one that is in a country that hosts the F1, that perhaps they might consider replicating the initiative. Perhaps that way what we have started here may grow and grow.
“I should reserve special thanks to the BIC and F1 for allowing us access to the track even during race week and to the Bahrain Olympic Committee who were so helpful in hosting our registration page and promoting the event.
“I would also like to record my thanks to the GDN for so readily and prominently promoting and covering the event.”
United for the cause: Mark Stewart the chairman of RAD, Ambassador Long, Sir Jackie, BIC CEO Shaikh Salman and BIC chairman Arif Rahimi
Founded by Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, after his wife Helen’s frontotemporal dementia diagnosis, Race Against Dementia funds researchers to accelerate progress towards a cure for dementia.
Dementia is a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking and everyday tasks, caused by conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia and Lewy body dementia. There are more than 200 types, and symptoms worsen over time.
The three-time Formula One world champion completed a tribute lap around the 5.412-kilometre BIC track, held as part of the pre-race programme of the Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2025, the fourth race of the season with 20 more to go, including Sunday’s showdown in neighbouring Saudi Arabia.
BIC’s chief executive Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, said: “In collaboration with the British Embassy, The One Lap Challenge brought great numbers from the community here to BIC, to show their support for the charity and raised significant sums for Race Against Dementia’s research programme.
“It was a fitting part of our F1 programme for this year, with the charity back in focus on race day with a truly memorable tribute lap by Sir Jackie. It has been an honour to offer our support.”
Shaking hands
The One Lap Challenge in which people walked, ran and scooted a lap of the Bahrain track, alone raised more than $50,000 (BD18,827) for the charity, as reported earlier in the GDN.
Sir Jackie’s lap last weekend was also staged to celebrate 75 years of F1 and to support fundraising efforts for RAD.
The F1 legend drove his 1973 Tyrell world championship car. His tribute lap in Bahrain honoured the oldest-living world champion on the 60th anniversary of his F1 debut, racing in his 1973 Tyrrell more than 50 years on from his last race.
Sir Jackie wore a one-of-a-kind world champions’ helmet, featuring the signatures of all 20 living F1 World Champions.
Legend has it that Sir Jackie, the British former F1 driver from Scotland nicknamed the Flying Scot when he competed in races between 1965 and 1973, played a key supportive role in the kingdom’s bid to become the home of motorsport in the Middle East after a chance encounter with His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on a transatlantic flight.
- For more information visit raceagainstdementia.com
managingeditor@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))