Button Praises Bahrain's F1 Circuit

Briton Jenson Button became this week the first Formula One driver to visit the venue of next year's Bahrain Grand Prix.

Button visited the track that will host the inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix in April next year on Thursday, and the BAR driver was impressed with the circuit.

"Being the first Formula One driver to visit the circuit is a special experience for me and I am very honoured to have had the chance to see it at first hand," said Button. "The Arabic hospitality has been first class and I know that we will all be made very welcome next year.

"I imagined that the circuit was going to be impressive but seeing it up close makes me realise what a magnificent job is being done here in Bahrain. There is a massive effort going on at the track in readiness for the Grand Prix."

Button, who was a guest of His Excellency Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, chairman of the Bahrain International Circuit, completed a lap around the track, which is expected to be finished ahead of next year's race, which will take place on April 4.

"It is very different for me to see a track before it is completed, but from what I have seen this is going to be an excellent circuit with some really challenging and demanding corners," he added.

"I know that all the drivers are going to like this track and I am also convinced that everyone in the Formula One world will be overwhelmed by the Arabic culture and the hospitality of the Bahrainis."