Bahrain circuit boss insists all is well, accusing some in the media of having an agenda and spreading baseless rumours. Meanwhile....

Speaking to the pro-government Gulf Daily News - the owner of which is best friends with the Prime Minister - Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) chief executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa insists that all is well in the Gulf state and that the Grand Prix will go ahead as planned.

"The race is going ahead, there is no doubt about that," he said. "We are ready and there is a plan in place to ensure the safety of the teams, officials and fans.

"There are several reports doing the rounds that are saying a lot of things which are baseless," he added. "These baseless rumours are being spread by people who are not in Bahrain; they know nothing about what's going on in the country and have vested interests and an agenda of their own. We discount these reports and rumours completely."

While there are increasing reports of unease within the teams, Shaikh Salman insists that as far as the FIA and FOM are concerned the race is on. "We have heard nothing else from them.

"The people who are trying to portray Bahrain as an unsafe place are not aware of the reality and the situation on the ground," he added. "Fact is that 95 per cent of the country is as safe as can be. There is no threat and we have taken all precautions and steps in collaboration with the Interior Ministry to ensure a great and a very successful event."

However, the report in the Gulf Daily News ends: "Shaikh Salman was speaking to the GDN before reports said seven policemen were injured, three seriously, in a terror explosion in Al Eker village last night. However, Shaikh Salman could not be reached for comment."