Speaking to reporters after the race, Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One CEO, has said the Bahrain Grand Prix will remain on the Formula One calendar for the foreseeable future.

Of demonstrations calling for the cancellation of the event in the Gulf kingdom, Ecclestone said: "I think it's good because people talk about things, you know. You know what they say - there is no such thing as bad publicity".

Bahrain owns half of the McLaren Group, the parent of the British-based Formula One team, reports the Reuters news agency.