MANAMA - A bomb went off in the heart of Bahraini capital of Manama on Sunday, as the kingdom gears to host the F1 race, police officer told Xinhua.

"The bomb was planted in a car near a commercial center in Manama. No damage was reported," he said.

He added that the bombing occurred a few kilometers away from a five-star hotel, where members of a F1 team stayed.

Police cordoned off the area and an investigation was launched.

A similar incident was reported in Juffair last Friday, as a car was damaged in an explosion.

Recently, Shiite-dominated anti-government protests took place in several parts of the country with rioters burning tyres and blocking roads in an attempt to cancel the F1 race and urge the government to meet their demands.

Bahrain is all set to host the 2013 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix from April 19-21, as thousands of spectators are expected to attend the three-day event.