Jun.26 (GMM) The formula one race in Bahrain is guaranteed contractually through 2016, organisers of the event confirmed this week.

It emerged early last year that the venue had signed a new long term agreement, specifying only that the contract covers "the rest of this decade and deep into the next", after Bahrain hosted its inaugural F1 race in 2004.

The first race of the new agreement will take place on 19 April next year.

Circuit chief executive Martin Whitaker said the confirmation means Bahrain can "now start to plan with F1 teams who like to test in Bahrain early in the year".