APRIL 1, 2004

VIPs flying to Bahrain

Despite the apparent threats to the event, the Bahrain Grand Prix looks like being a major draw for international VIPs this weekend. One of the first to arrive was Britain's Prince Andrew, who flew into Bahrain on Wednesday evening and spent Thursday playing golf with Sir Jackie Stewart. It is believed that others likely to attend the event include Spain's King Juan Carlos and several other heads of state from the Gulf region. There are also suggestions that Volkswagen chairman Bernd Pischetsrieder will make another of his regular visits to the track and that the new boss of Mercedes-Benz Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard will also be in attendance.

From the racing world there will be Deputy FIA President Marco Piccinnini and Bernie Ecclestone arrived in Bahrain on Thursday.

Security at the track will be very tight indeed in the course of the weekend.