The Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA) is the latest organisation to voice its support for the annual FIA Institute Safety Summit, which this year is hosted at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) on April 3.

The BIC was recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the FIA Institute in 2007, only the second circuit facility in the world to receive such an award. This year's one day event falls under the patronage of the Bahrain Ministry of Health and will explore the important theme of 'Medicine in Motor Sport'.

Representatives of the GPDA will attend the event co-chaired by FIA Institute President Professor Sid Watkins and Deputy President Professor Gerard Saillant. Presentations and discussions will focus on the latest medical advances and best practice with more than 150 senior medical professionals from around the world having already registered to attend.

GPDA Chairman Pedro de la Rosa said,

“Professor Watkins and Professor Saillant have accomplished a huge amount with the FIA institute in a very short time. I know there is always more that they wish to achieve and I look forward to the GPDA offering its support to the Institute's future research and educational activities. Feedback from the 2007 Summit was very positive and we welcome the latest Medicine in Motor Sport initiative in Bahrain.”

GPDA Director Mark Webber said,

“The GPDA is fully supportive of the FIA Institute and its continuing and valuable contribution to improvements in motor sport safety. Our members attended and spoke at the 2007 Summit and this latest event, hosted in Bahrain, seeks to advance medical knowledge and expertise in motor sport which can only be of benefit for all drivers in our championship and other championships across the world.”

Professor Gerard Saillant, Deputy President of the FIA Institute said,

“We are grateful for the GPDA's support of the FIA institute's activities and look forward to welcoming its members to this year's Summit. We hope the theme will be of particular interest to them and of course to all those practicing the medicine of motor sport.

“The latest medical thinking will be discussed in this the first international conference of its kind as we bring together experts from across the world with experts from an increasingly important region for motor sport development.”

For further information visit: www.fiainstitute.com/summit