Schuey defiant over terrorism

The German, who has dominated both races so far this season, insisted he would not bow to terrorists by not racing at the newly-constructed Bahrain International Circuit and said he was sure the country's security measures would be adequate.

The UK Foreign Office said last week that Bahrain, 600 miles from Iraq, has a "high risk" of terrorism. Agents from MI5 and the CIA have advised the country in the run-up to Sunday's race, and extra security measures are being taken at the track.

"Attacks can be any time, any place," Schumacher told The News of the World. "What can you do? You must do whatever you feel is right. I am sure Bahrain will be one of the safest places because its security will be very high."

Briton Jenson Button, whose confidence is sky-high after he scored his first ever podium in Malaysia last weekend, echoed Schumacher's views. He told The Guardian: "Bahrain will be something different and it'll be hard to dismiss the troubles in the region.

"But the bombings in Madrid remind us that no-one's safe anywhere. There's probably just as much chance of being blown up on a bus in London as being caught up in any political reprisals in the Middle East."

Meanwhile, Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has attacked the British government for exaggerating the threat of a terrorist attack at the event, and said the issue has been over-hyped. "None of us has ever discussed this terrorism business," he told The News of the World. "But sometimes, some people - and especially the British government - come out and stupidly tell us not to go."