Bahrain GP cancelled

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Bahrain GP organisers cancel F1 race

Bahrain Grand Prix organisers cancelled the March 13 opening race of the Formula One season on Monday due to unrest in the country.

The race could still be rescheduled but organisers said in a statement issued on their behalf that no decision had been taken yet.

"The Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) today announced that the Kingdom of Bahrain would withdraw from hosting this year's F1 Grand Prix race so that the country can focus on its process of national dialogue," they said.

King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa has asked his son, the crown prince, to conduct a dialogue with all parties. The Crown Prince informed Bernie Ecclestone of the decision by telephone.

"At the present time the country's entire attention is focused on building a new national dialogue for Bahrain," Prince Salman said.

"Although (F1 supremo) Bernie Ecclestone had graciously made clear that a decision on the race was entirely Bahrain's to make and was not yet required, we felt it was important for the country to focus on immediate issues of national interest and leave the hosting of Bahrain's Formula One race to a later date," he added.

"The hospitality and warmth of the people of Bahrain is a hallmark of the race there, as anyone who has been at a Bahrain Grand Prix will testify. We look forward to being back in Bahrain soon."

"It is sad that Bahrain has had to withdraw from the race, we wish the whole nation well as they begin to heal their country," he said.

The postponement of the race means the season will now start in Australia on 27 March, two weeks later than originally scheduled.




Bahrain hoping for swift F1 return

Bahrain is hoping to be able to return to the Formula 1 calendar "in the very near future".

The race was today withdrawn as the opening event of the 2011 championship, but no decision has yet been made on whether it will be rescheduled for later in the season or cancelled completely.

Bahrain International Circuit chairman Zayed Alzayani says only that he hopes F1 will be able to return to Bahrain soon.

"We look forward to welcoming the teams, drivers and everyone involved in Formula 1 back to Bahrain in the very near future," he said.

"Bahrain's grand prix is a time of celebration, and hosting the race is a source of great pride for Bahrain and Bahrainis. It is a showcase to the world. I hope that F1 and our friends around the world will understand our decision at this difficult time."

Sheikh Mohammed bin Isa Al-Khalifa indicated that discussions to reschedule the race are already under way, telling CNN: "We still hope to host an F1 grand prix in this calendar year - we are already in negotiations. We hope that we can reschedule the race later this year and be a valuable addition to the F1 calendar."




Drivers and Team commented for Bahrain GP

Felipe Massa hopes the Bahrain GP will be rescheduled for later this year, but agrees that the Gulf state has more important things to focus on at present. The Ferrari driver, who has won the Bahrain GP twice, said: "I like Bahrain, so if we go back there I will be happy.

"Bahrain is a track I like, so I would have liked to start the championship there. But maybe we will go back and race there again - I like the track and I like to be there. "But if we don't go, it's okay. It's for more important reasons. The human side is much stronger than the professional side, what is happening there is very serious and I hope everything will be normal. The safe side is much more important."

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner added: "It's a shame, but the country has got bigger issues than a Formula 1 race at the moment. It is important that they address those. "It's a great shame not to be going, it's always been an enjoyable place to visit, they've always made us feel very welcome, but understandably with the issues the country faces, the responsible decision has been made and the first race will be in Australia. "At the end of the day, we're a sport and we can always go back there, if not this year then in future years."

Renault boss Eric Boullier said his team fully supported the decision. "The recent situation in Bahrain has been very difficult for the country. We feel the decision taken by the Crown Prince is wise and we fully support it," he said. "The Bahrain Grand Prix has always been welcomed with enthusiasm from the Bahraini people, and we're looking forward to going back there when they have healed their country. We will now amend our logistics accordingly and will get ready for Australia."




FIA fully supports Bahrain decision

Formula 1's ruling body, the FIA, says it fully supports Bahrain's decision to withdraw the opening race of the 2011 season.

"The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile supports the decision of the Bahrain Motor Federation and the Bahrain International Circuit to postpone the scheduled first Grand Prix of the 2011 season due to be held in the Kingdom of Bahrain on March 11-13," said the FIA in a statement.

"This decision is the outcome of the close co-operation between the FIA, Formula One Management, the Bahrain Motor Federation and the Bahrain International Circuit.