Bahrain track honours Michael Schumacher, renames first corner after him

Organisers of the Bahrain Grand Prix are reportedly set to rename the first turn at Sakhir track in honour of Formula One legend Michael Schumacher. The family of the seven-time F1 champion - who is battling coma after a skiing accident, has reportedly agreed to the decision especially as it was Schumacher who advised the team designing the track over a decade ago.

An inspiration behind the wheel as well as a maverick character out of the car, Schumacher's relationship with the Bahrain GP has been strong over the years. "With the support of his family, it is a great privilege to be able to honour arguably the greatest racing driver in the history of F1 and someone who the people of Bahrain hold close to their hearts," track director Zayed Al Zayani was quoted as saying. "From his first appearance at the BIC in 2004, he immediately became an inspiration for all those who love motorsport in the Kingdom and it is therefore natural for us to recognise him in this way," he said adding that his team's best wishes continue to be with the legend and his family.

Bahrain now becomes the first active Grand Prix circuit to have a corner named after Schumacher even as the former racer battles for life in Grenoble hospital.

Schumacher has been in a state of induced coma since he met with a skiing accident in a French resort on December 27, last year. Doctors have tried to revive him, even reducing the amount of drugs being infused. There however have been no signs of any improvement.