
Bahrain crown prince HH Shaikh Salman bin Hamed Al Khalifa made the announcement this weekend in Monza after signing a long-term agreement with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
Meanwhile Russia’s chances of hosting a race in 2004 have been dealt a serious blow after Russian politician Eugeni Panteleev announced the cancellation of plans to build a new circuit. The countries hopes now rest with the Pulkovoring track in St Petersburg, a site favoured by Russian premier Vladimir Putin.