Ithmaar backed driver earns GP2 championship ticket
MANAMA, Bahrain – 11 September 2008 –An Ithmaar banking group sponsored driver claimed a dramatic victory at the penultimate round of the 2008 GP championship in Belgium to earn a shot at winning the championship title in Italy on Sunday.
Romain Grosjean, who clinched the inaugural Asian GP2 Championship title in April this year, earned the ART Grand Prix team a crucial victory at the Spa Francorchamps circuit on Sunday 7 September 2008. The victory puts Grosjean third in the championship and allows him an extremely challenging shot at being crowned champion at Italy’s Monza circuit next weekend.
Bahrain based Ithmaar Bank, Solidarity and Shamil bank are key sponsors of Grosjean’s impressive GP2 racing career which has already earned him a test driver slot on the Renault Formula One team.
“The team for which Grosjean is racing has contributed to promoting the career of two now internationally celebrated young drivers, Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton,” said Ithmaar Bank Managing Director, Group Support, Ahmed Abdul Rahim. “We recognise this true-and-tried path to success and we believe in Grosjean’s potential,” he said.
“As one of the most diversified financial services providers in the Middle East, we also recognise the important role we must play in supporting aspiring international talent,” said Abdul Rahim. “Our support for Grosjean’s winning bid at the inaugural GP2 Asian Championship was our first foray into motorsports sponsorship and we are delighted to note his continuing success,” he said.
To earn the 2008 GP2 championship title next Sunday, Grosjean will need to earn 18 points – and, with only 19 points on offer, success will depend on more than just his driving abilities and his team’s performance.
About Ithmaar banking group
The Ithmaar banking group consists of: Ithmaar Bank, Shamil Bank, Solidarity (an Islamic insurance company), Faisal Private Bank (Switzerland), Faysal Bank Limited (Pakistan), First Leasing Bank and Ithmaar Development Company. The group’s services, including investment, private, retail, and commercial banking, private equity, mergers & acquisition advice, takaful, leasing, and real estate development, form a 360 degrees value chain that embraces the entire spectrum of banking and financial services.