MANAMA: Martin Whitaker has stepped down as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), chairman of the BIC board Zayed Al Zayani announced last night.

In a planned move, BIC chief operating officer Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa will take over as the new CEO while Mr Whitaker will continue as Formula One adviser to the BIC board for the Gulf Air Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix to be held from March 12 to 14.

"Martin joined us at the very beginning of the project to stage the opening Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in 2004. Since then he has helped to elevate BIC to the highest levels of global awareness," said Mr Al Zayani.

"In his role as adviser on Formula One issues, Martin's experience and knowledge of the sport going back some 25 years will be invaluable to Shaikh Salman and the rest of the team," added Mr Al Zayani.

Mr Whitaker is set to take over the running of the Australian V8 Supercars Championship from April.

"After six wonderful years at BIC, the time has come for me to move on. We have a lot of work ahead of us in ensuring that the 2010 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix is the biggest and best event that has ever been staged in the kingdom. I feel privileged to have been part of such a wonderful organisation," said Mr Whitaker.

"The circuit has been my life for the last six years and I am extremely proud of what the team at BIC has achieved throughout this period. Once the Grand Prix is over I will move on at what I consider to be exactly the right time as the circuit enters a new decade."