Ralf to Drive at Bahrain Circuit

Ralf Schumacher will become the first Formula One driver to lap the new Bahrain International Circuit on Tuesday December 16 when he tests out the track at the wheel of a BMW X5 road car.

Construction of the circuit in Sakhir is continuing ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in April 2004, which will be the first Formula One event to be held in the Middle East.

Schumacher will have to wait until the first day of practice on April 2 next year before driving the 5.410-kilometer (3.362-mile) circuit at the wheel of his Williams-BMW FW26 challenger, but he is confident that the race will prove a success.

"I think it is brilliant that Formula One is spreading its wings to different parts of the world," said Schumacher in a statement issued by the Bahrain International Circuit.

"Everything I have heard leads me to believe that the Bahrain facilities will be fantastic when they are finished and this trip gives me an opportunity to assess progress for myself. I am really looking forward to it."

Schumacher will also travel to a nearby kart circuit to participate in a specially-arranged pitstop event where media representatives, circuit officials and team sponsors will race each other to change the wheels and tyres of Williams' 2003 World Championship FW25 machine.