Karthikeyan Heading to Bahrain

The Jordan driver, who has finished both of the season opening Grands Prix, has been invited by the Crown Prince of Bahrain to a special event in the country that hosts the next round of the World Championship on April 3.

He is due to meet more than 40,000 members of Bahrain's Indian community, which will include children from Asian and Indian schools in the country.

The scale of the interest in Karthikeyan's early visit to Bahrain will likely prove to be a massive bonus to race organisers, who will clearly be hoping to capitalise on the event and sell more tickets to next month's race.

Speaking about his F1 experience so far, Karthikeyan said: "I'm ready for my third race. Even Bahrain's Sports Minister Sheikh Fawaz Mohamed Al Khalifa, who is also chairman of the Bahrain Circuit, will be waiting for my arrival."

Karthikeyan will use his appearance in Bahrain to get an early glimpse of the F1 circuit - which has had some minor modifications made since last year's inaugural race.

"I will also discover the preparations made to the Sakhir Circuit where there have been changes, such as the lengthening of the width of the track in Turn Four," added Karthikeyan.