Confirmed Bahrain GP: October 30, 2011

[UltimateBMW]

http://www.f1technical.net/news/16339

The Bahrain Grand Prix will take place on 30 October, replacing the Indian Grand Prix, which will now become the final round of the 2011 Championship, combined with the FIA Annual General Assembly and Prize-Giving Gala.

I was kind of hoping that it would stay cancelled and then get dropped in favor of some of the new tracks. But the extra race may make it tougher for Vettel to lock out the WDC so early.

[gun6slinger9]

Does anyone else find Bahrain to be kinda boring? I think Bernie pushed so hard because it meant more money in his pocket.

[UltimateBMW]

Originally Posted by gun6slinger9

Does anyone else find Bahrain to be kinda boring?

Yes.


However, hopefully the new regulations will help with that. They seem to be doing a decent job so far.

[Mahmood07]

I somehow doubt the race will be held..but we will see

[escobar929]

yea, hopefully w/ DRS it wont be a snooze fest

[xbook]

Does this mean snow for the Indian GP ?

[BrokenVert]

I hope the teams pull out and protest the race

[Echo M3]

Originally Posted by xbook

Does this mean snow for the Indian GP ?

Lol, it won't snow in Delhi, certainly not in December. It's usually around high 60s in the day in early december, and 30s-40s at night. It will be cool, but no rain (it's a desert) or snow.

[CLV0009]

interesting, I did not know that Bahrain was being reconsidered for this years calendar, more races means more fun!!!!! cant wait to go to Austin next year.

[E90SLAM]

Seemed like things turn around again...

http://en.espnf1.com/bahrain/motorsp...ory/50918.html

Bernie Ecclestone has admitted that he thinks the Bahrain Grand Prix will not take place in October, despite the FIA's decision for it to go ahead at Friday's World Motor Sport Council meeting.

In a BBC Sport interview Ecclestone said: "Hopefully there'll be peace and quiet and we can return in the future, but of course it's not on. The schedule cannot be rescheduled without the agreement of the participants - they're the facts."

The revelation comes after the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) wrote a letter to the FIA, Formula One Management and the Bahrain Grand Prix organisers, believed to contain an objection to the race taking the place of the Indian Grand Prix on October 30. Max Mosley told the BBC on Tuesday that Article 66 of the FIA's International Sporting Code meant that any change to the calendar requires the written agreement of the teams, and it appears as though that has not been granted.

Ecclestone's comments are a major blow for both the Bahrain Grand Prix organisers and FIA president Jean Todt, who on Monday defended the FIA's decision to reinstate the race. Whether the Bahrain Grand Prix can be postponed to an even later date remains to be seen, but Ecclestone's comments suggest it is unlikely.

[Mahmood07]

Just like i thought..it was obvious there was no way it was going to happen.

[E90SLAM]

Finally its official...its not going to happen!
No offence to the citizens of Bahrain, but what happened earlier this year. There''s just no way a big sport event and celebration and party going on.

The organisers of the Bahrain Grand Prix have abandoned their plans to host a Formula One race in 2011 after pressure from the teams in recent days.

Last Friday the FIA World Motor Sport Council agreed to reinstate the Bahrain Grand Prix on October 30 in place of India that in turn was set to be rescheduled for December. However, earlier this week the teams wrote to the FIA, Formula One Management and the Bahrain organisers saying they were not willing to extend the calendar and would not agree to the date changes.

On Wednesday Bernie Ecclestone admitted the race was "not on" and late on Thursday Bahrain International Circuit chairman Zayed R Alzayani released a statement confirming that the event was indeed off.

"Whilst Bahrain would have been delighted to see the grand prix progress on October 30th in-line with the World Motor Sport Council's decision, it has been made clear that this fixture cannot progress and we fully respect that decision," he said. "Bahrain has always sought to play a positive role in the continued development of Formula One, from pioneering F1 racing in the Middle East, to helping other countries in facilitating their own races in new territories, as well as providing our own unique experience and universal welcome to grand prix supporters."

As a result India will be reinstated in its October 30 position with the Bahrain Grand Prix set to return as the 2012 season opener.

"Bahrain has absolutely no desire to see a race which would further extend the calendar season [and] detract from the enjoyment of F1 for either drivers, teams or supporters," added Alzayani. "We want our role in Formula One to continue to be as positive and constructive as it has always been, therefore, in the best interest of the sport, we will not pursue the rescheduling of a race this season.

"We look forward to welcoming teams, their drivers and supporters back to Bahrain next year and would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our supporters, including staff, volunteers, sponsors, private businesses and the general public, for whom I know this year's decision will be a disappointment.

"We would also especially like to thank the FIA, FOM, The Bahrain Motor Federation and the teams for all support and understanding they have extended to us at this time."

The next step is for the FIA to make the cancellation official, although a spokesperson said the governing body had yet to recieve a revised calendar from Ecclestone and FOM.

"In the light of the statement by the Bahrain International Circuit, we are now waiting for the commercial rights holder [Ecclestone] to suggest a new calendar to the World Motor Sport Council," the spokesperson told Reuters.

http://en.espnf1.com/bahrain/motorsp...ory/51086.html