The head of Formula One's governing body yesterday hit out at false reports about Bahrain and said the sport would suffer no damage to its image after today's race.

'I am sorry about what has been reported. I am sure that all that has been reported does not correspond to the reality of what is happening in this country,' International Automobile Federation president Jean Todt told reporters at the Sakhir circuit.

'I feel F1 is very strong. I think it is a very strong brand, and I think all the people among the teams to whom I have been speaking are very happy.

'I was even told it would have been a mistake not to come,' added the former Ferrari team principal. 'It is a sporting event and if the sporting event is helping to heal the situation it is very good for the sport.'

Todt said only a small section of Bahraini society was against the race going ahead and the majority should not suffer as a result of their opposition.

'Do we have to penalise 80 or 90 per cent of the population because 10pc are against? My answer is no,' he said. 'It is a sporting event, and if the sporting event is helping to heal the situation it is very good for the sport.'

Meanwhile, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Bahrain yesterday. Around 7,000 people took part in a march called by opposition groups in Diraz. - TradeArabia News Service