The owners of the Bahrain International Circuit have expressed their delight at the FIA's decision to confirm that next weekend's race will go ahead.

The race was put in doubt after F1 teams spoke of their worry over security concerns in the Persian Gulf after last year's race was cancelled because of protests.

However, the FIA released a statement this morning reaffirming that there would be no such problems this time around.

The BIC were quick to respond to the decision, also releasing a statement which read: "The BIC has been clear throughout recent weeks and months the security situation in Bahrain is suitable for the staging of a major sporting event.

"We hugely look forward both to an exciting sporting occasion and to extending the traditional warm Bahraini welcome to Formula One teams, administrators and fans visiting our country next week."

Before then, F1 is in China for the third Grand Prix of the season where Michael Schumacher topped the second practice session for Mercedes this morning.