Wednesday March 31st, 2004

The sparkling pomegranate and rosewater has been put on ice for the winner of Sunday's inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix.

The traditional podium champagne has been ruled out for the first Formula One race in the Middle East but organisers said on Wednesday that they did not want to take the fizz out of the occasion.

The top three will instead be handed bottles of a specially-formulated non-alcoholic bubbly made of locally grown fruit - pomegranate, trinj and rosewater - called Warrd.

"The winner's celebration after the Grand Prix is synonymous with the sport of Formula One," said circuit chairman Sheikh Fawaz bin Mohammed al Khalifa.

"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."

Published at 18:25:35 GMT

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