Monday October 14th, 2002

The construction of the $150 million Bahrain Grand Prix circuit - which will host a round of the Formula One World Championship in 2004 - was given the go-ahead today.

The tiny Gulf Island country has signed a "long-term" race venue contract with Grand Prix supremo Bernie Ecclestone buy have yet to begin construction on the circuit. But after a ground-breaking ceremony in the desert last week, the organisers have announced the contract for the track has been handed to local construction firm Cybarco Bahrain.

The company, who will build the Hermann Tilke-designed track over the next year and a half, will begin work with Malaysia-based joint-venture partner WTC next month.

Published at 13:18:54 GMT