Sheikh Salman Isa Al Khalifa recalls his surprise at learning the Gulf Air Bahrain GP would move to Sepang, a former F1 host, amid West Asia tensions. SEPANG : The decision to stage the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix (GP) at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) this year came as a complete surprise to Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) chief executive Sheikh Salman Isa Al Khalifa.