MANAMA (Bahrain), Oct 9: Bahrain launched its new Formula One circuit Tuesday and officials said work would begin next month in time for the FIA World Championship in 2004.

More than US$150 million are being spent on the new 5.5-km circuit outside the city of Manama in the south of the country.

“We are probably less than 48 hours away from awarding the construction contract,” said circuit manager, Dane Peter Hansen. “After that, the company who gets it will have to begin work within 28 days.”

Bahrain could be added to the grand prix season or it could replace one of the events on the 17-race calendar, but Hansen added: “Deciding which one we take the place of is not our problem — that is for (Formula One supremo) Bernie Ecclestone to decide.

“We have a firm, long-term contract to stage Formula One.”

He would not say for how long the contract ran.

The venue will be a multi-purpose facility with six different lay-outs, including a flat oval for testing and a 1.2-kilometre drag strip.

Hansen believes the track will follow Malaysia’s Sepang circuit in setting new standards for current Formula One venues to follow.

Organisers have looked at ways to stop sand from the surrounding desert land blowing on to the circuit.

“We can apply a solution to the stand to make it stick together and stop it blowing about,” said Hansen. “If we need to bring in grass and lay it by the side of the track, then we’ll do that.” —Reuters