Bahrain Increase Security for GP Weekend

Bahrain authorities say they have taken all necessary precautions to ensure security when the Middle East hosts a Formula One race for the first time next week.

A statement issued in London today by Grand Prix organisers quoted a spokesman for Bahrain's Interior Ministry as saying that a wide-ranging plan had been drawn up for the April 4th race.

"The plan the Ministry has includes all aspects of security from low level vandalism to national disasters and international terrorism," he said. "The help of the National Guard and certain assets of the Bahrain Defence Force have been brought in to provide a comprehensive and robust national security plan."

Organisers said the plan included a quadrupling of patrols in all key areas of the Gulf kingdom as well as quick reaction teams on call around the clock at strategic locations. The National Guard will also be mobilised to protect key facilities.

The spokesman said Bahrain took national security as "a matter of paramount importance" but added that policing would be as unobtrusive as possible.

The British government's latest advice to visitors to Bahrain on the Foreign Office website was of a "high threat from terrorism against western, including British, targets."

"We are particularly concerned about potential threats to places where westerners might gather," it added.

The majority of the 10 Formula One teams are based in Britain.

Britain's Mirror tabloid newspaper reported today that Ferrari's World Champion Michael Schumacher would be given an armed guard in Bahrain and travel in one of the king's limousines.

A Williams spokesman said however that the team had consulted insurers and taken independent advice about the risks but premiums had not changed.

He said all staff had been briefed on local cultural sensitivities and practices but this was normal for any new race and the same would apply to China, which hosts a Grand Prix for the first time in September.

Meanwhile, it was also revealed today that Bahrain authorities tried to drop their April 4th date because of fears that the circuit would not be ready in time. Autosport magazine quoted circuit supervisor Philippe Gurdjian as saying that he had asked Bernie Ecclestone earlier this month to postpone the race for a year but the Formula One supremo refused.

"The race will go ahead but we will not be 100 percent ready, although the track is finished," said Gurdjian. "Two weeks ago we thought there was no way we could hold the race and we decided to cancel it but Bernie said no. So we just had to get more people in to get the job finished."

The $150 million Sakhir circuit was officially opened last week, with a 2003 Williams the first modern Formula One car to lap it.

"The night before there were still people out laying kerbstones and painting," said Williams technical director Patrick Head. "They've done a remarkable job in the time but I should be careful where you put your hands in case the paint is still wet."