Grapevine: News from the Paddock - Bahrain GP

Drink to a Deal

Eddie Jordan revealed during his media breakfast on Friday that he regularly gives up the drink for Lent - but admitted he has broken one of his determined efforts in the past to seal a sponsorship deal. Jordan said he gives up alcohol for a month at the end of every season - to prepare to "go for it" at Christmas - and then forgoes the pleasure again in the build-up to Easter. But after concluding a "fairly major deal" in the past he admitted he had to take a drink after being presented with a celebratory glass of wine.

Royal Visit

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, led the arrivals in Bahrain on Wednesday when he returned to the island for the first time since October 2002 to take in the Grand Prix as part of a run of official engagements. He previously came to Manama for a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of what is now the Bahrain International Circuit and he will be present in Bahrain as a guest of the government until Monday.

Two-Point Trip

Sir Jackie Stewart, a long-time campaigner for Silverstone and the British Grand Prix, took the trip to Bahrain with wife Helen for two special reasons this weekend. First was to check out exactly what Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone wants the ageing circuit to become. He has been to Bahrain several times before and immediately pronounced himself "very impressed" when he returned on Wednesday. But secondly, he was also drawn in to be the honorary chieftain for the first ever Bahrain Gaelic Festival at the Bahrain Rugby Football Club in Saar.

Art Attack

The city was treated to some top-level motorsport art this weekend after famous Argentine painter Juan Carlos Ferringo brought his works over to exhibit with award winning Bahraini painter Abbas Al Mousawi at the Art Centre. But it was not just static art the visitors to the exhibition were treated to - the artists were also present in person to paint 'live'. Formula One followers were also given the chance to learn about the culture of Bahrain when the Al Fateh Islamic Centre invited them to visit. Also known as the Grand Mosque, the impressive building is located in Juffair.