Champagne celebration banned in Bahrain

Organisers of this weekend’s inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix have bowed to local sensitivities by banning the traditional champagne podium celebration.

It has been decided that the champagne celebrations at the end of Sunday's race will not take place.

Instead, the top three drivers will get a taste of warrd! Organisers describe the concoction as a blend of locally grown fruit pomegranate and trinj mixed with rosewater.

"Here in Bahrain we want to keep the traditional ceremony for the winner but to do it with a non-alcoholic beverage that is in keeping with our culture and traditions," said chairman of the Bahrain International Circuit, Sheikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa.