Bernie Ecclestone has been awarded the Bahrain Medal of the First Degree, one of the highest personal honours that can be bestowed by the Kingdom - and one usually reserved for heads of state and pe🦄ople who perform outstanding services and achievements to the Kingd🐻om of Bahrain.

The medal is awarded at the sole discretion of King Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and was presented to the CEO of Formula One Administration [FOA] by the Crown Prince HH Shaikh Salman biꩵn Hamad Al Khalifa during a ceremony at His Highness's office.

Ecclestone was in Bahrain at the invitation of the Crown Prince His Highness Shaikh Salman to v💧iew progress on the new circuit and witness the Kingdom's preparations for the forthcoming Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, which is due to take place on 4 April next year.

The ♎presentation of the medal followed a tour of the Bahrain International Circuit and a detailed briefing on preparations for the 2004 grand prix - the first event of its kind to be held in the Middle East. Presentations were given by each of the ministries and nati﷽onal organisations involved in the logistical planning of the race at a meeting arranged by BIC Chairman His Excellency Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa.

Before leaving the Kingdom Mr Ecclestone met with His Highness the Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin🥂 Salman Al-Khalifa.