Bahrain well on target for staging of Grand Prix

The Bahrain International Circuit, which will host the Middle East's first ever FIA Formula One World Grand Prix on April 4 this year, is well on the way to completion, the organiers have confirmed.

During a trip organised by the event's official sponsor Gulf Air, journalists from France, Germany and Britain were able to experience first hand the latest developments at the Sakhir circuit and to sample the hospitality of Bahrainis along with the sights and sounds of the Kingdom.

The 20-member strong party was given a comprehensive tour of the facilities where they learnt more about the progress from engineers and contractors at the track.

The FIA are expected to inspect the circuit during the course of the month.

Hosting the circuit visit His Excellency Sheikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Bahrain International Circuit, was able to answer a variety of questions on the status of the circuit project and the forthcoming Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.

The progress on the track was one of the leading interests for the travel journalists among the group.

The opportunity for them to inspect the circuit and the city of Manama gave them the chance to communicate and underline the readiness of the Kingdom and the circuit to welcome Formula One to the island in two months' time.

Project Coordinator Gordon Calder said: "As the journalists will have seen, the track is well on schedule for completion ahead of the critical dates and we are close to 96% completion."