The Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix will go ahead as scheduled next week despite the potential for more anti-government protests like those which forced the cancellation of last year's race, says motorsport's governing body the FIA.
In a statement the FIA says it's satisfied that all the proper security measures are in place for the running of a Formula One World Championship event in Bahrain and the event will go ahead next weekend.
Meanwhile Britain's Lewis Hamilton's hopes of a hat-trick of pole positions have been dashed ahead of this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix, having been issued with a five place penalty for an unscheduled gearbox change.
The 2008 Formula One world champion has yet to win this season despite starting the first two races in Australia and Malaysia on pole.
Hamilton won in in China last year and is the only driver to have twice won in Shanghai since the race was added to the calendar in 2004.
