MANAMA, 28 March 2004 — Six-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who won the two opening races of the season, said on Friday that he had no problems in racing in Bahrain.
“In Bahrain it will be no more dangerous than anywhere else in the world. The organizers will do everything in their power to make sure that the race goes off without a hitch,” he said on his official web site.
The German acknowledged though, that there can be no guarantees. “We have to understand that no place in the world can be 100 percent safe.”
Organizers have promised Schumacher bodyguards and a bulletproof limousine for his time in the Kingdom of Bahrain, which hosts the first-ever Middle Eastern Grand Prix on April 4.
Schumacher added that he was surprised how well things have been going this season. “I think one has to be surprised about our season so far.
“We are really well prepared and have a fantastic car. Bridgestone has done excellent work with the tires and has given us a set of tires that showed they are also good under difficult circumstances.”
Yesterday, a government official said that the country would tighten its security ahead of the Grand Prix.
“We recognize that the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix will be the largest sporting festival in the Middle East and it is important to stress that all necessary security precautions have been taken”, a spokesperson at the Ministry of Interior said.
Organizers expect more than 100,000 racing fans to attend the event. Over 75 percent of tickets have been sold so far.
