FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[scotty]

More to follow, this is the only news at the moment:

A Bahraini official has Tweeted that the Bahrain GP has been given the green light to rejoin the F1 calendar later this season.

Bahrain was scheduled to host the season-opening grand prix in March. However, the race was postponed due to political unrest within the island kingdom.

The country, though, claims it is on the road to recovery and on Wednesday emergency rule was lifted with Bahrain officials stating they hoped tourists and F1 would return to their country.

And it appears as if that is what will happen.

F1's World Motor Sport Council met on Friday to discuss the matter with a Bahraini official writing on Twitter that the race has been given the go-ahead.

President of Bahrain's information affairs authority Fawaz Al Khalifa Tweeted: "Mabrook, Bahrain will host f1. Fia finalizing date now."

Early reports coming through say the race will take place on October 30th, replacing the Indian GP, which will be moved back to a later date.

There has, however, been no official confirmation from the FIA.

[FRAFPDD]

Great news, dont care about the politics of it, its not the like Bahraini crowds/ organisers have anything to do with quelling civil unrest.


Not to mention thats another two? one week that i dont have to wait for the new season. Unless this is in favour of the Indian GP, in which case im not happy.

[What's Burning?]

Turning in Bin Laden was part of the deal.

[phil12321]

Well at least we can see more f1 and it gives india more to to prepare for its inaugural "Big Prizes"

[scotty]

Even though the FIA has yet to officially announce its decision, the boss of the Bahrain International Circuit has issued a statement welcoming it.

It reads:

"The head of the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) today welcomed the decision of the FIA (Federation Internationale de L'Automobile) World Motor Sport Council to reintroduce the Bahrain Grand Prix to the 2011 calendar.

The decision, announced by the FIA after the Council's meeting in Barcelona, follows a FIA delegation visit to Bahrain to assess the situation in country this week.

Zayed R. Alzayani, Chairman of the BIC, said: "This is welcome news for all of Bahrain. As a country we have faced a difficult time, but stability has returned; with businesses operating close to normal, the State of National Safety lifted and countries removing travel restrictions.

"Collectively, we are in the process of addressing issues of national and international concern, and learning lessons from the recent past. By the time the Grand Prix arrives we will be able to remind the world about Bahrain at its best.

"The Bahrain Grand Prix has always been a source of national pride and it is an event than transcends politics. Not only does it receive strong support from the Government, but also from all major parties in Bahrain, including our largest opposition group, Al Wefaq, who yesterday endorsed both the BIC and motor-racing in Bahrain.

"Importantly, it will also offer a significant boost to the economy. The Grand Prix attracts 100,000 visitors, supports 3,000 jobs and generates around $500m of economic benefit. Its positive effect will be felt throughout the country.

"On behalf of Bahrain, I would like to thank Bernie Ecclestone, Jean Todt and the FIA and the rest of the motorsport community for the support and understanding they have extended to us this year."

Bahrain is a pioneer of motorsport in the region and the rescheduled Grand Prix will be the 8th hosted by the Kingdom since its inaugural race in 2004."

I'm guessing the FIA will include a new date in their own statement...

[What's Burning?]

I'm numb to this for some reason, it just feels bitter sweet, knowing that if and when it does come back into this year's calendar it will be a bury your head in the sand type of thing... pretend it never happened.

I just hope that by then Red Bull would have long cemented their second WDC and WCC and does not attend, perhaps they can encourage other teams to do the same. At the very least, they should include an Amnesty International logo on every car on the grid.

[scotty]

The Bahrain Grand Prix will go ahead this year after Formula 1's ruling body, the FIA, voted in favour of reinstating the race on Friday.

The race was scheduled to open the 2011 season in March, but was postponed due to the unrest in the country.

A decision was expected on May 1, but the FIA decided to give Bahrain until today before making a decision on the future of this year's race.

On Friday, the governing body's World Motor Sport Council met in Barcelona to vote, and gave the green light for the Bahrain Grand Prix to take place this year.

The event has been given an October 30 date, which is likely to mean the Indian Grand Prix moves to December 4 or December 11, the latest finish to a season since 1963, although the FIA did not confirm the date for the race.

Indian GP officials said they welcomed the season finale slot.

The season will also comprise a record 20 races.

The FIA said in a statement that the WMSC had "unanimously" agreed to reinstate Bahrain.

"Following a fact-finding mission undertaken at the request of FIA President Jean Todt, FIA Vice President Carlos Gracia visited Bahrain on 31 May 2011 to assess the situation in the country," said the statement.

"Meetings were conducted with the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Bahrain Motor Federation and Bahrain International Circuit, as well as other national and international organisations including Mr. Tariq Al Saffar at the National Institute of Human Rights. It should be noted that the recent announcement by the King of Bahrain has established a political dialogue and reconciliation process.

"After considering all the factors and taking into consideration all stakeholders' concerns, the WMSC unanimously agreed to reinstate the Bahrain Grand Prix in the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship.

"This decision reflects the spirit of reconciliation in Bahrain, which is evident from the strong support the race receives from the Government and all major parties in Bahrain, including the largest opposition group, all of whom endorse the Formula One Grand Prix and motor sport in the country.

"The WMSC feels that reinstating the Grand Prix is a means of helping to unite people as the country looks to move forward, and also recognises the commitment made by the Formula One teams, their employees and families, and personnel associated with the Championship including the local team of volunteers who are so vital to the event."

The Bahrain International Circuit welcomed the FIA decision.

"This is welcome news for all of Bahrain," said Zayed R. Alzayani, Chairman of the Bahrain International Circuit. "As a country we have faced a difficult time, but stability has returned; with businesses operating close to normal, the State of National Safety lifted and countries removing travel restrictions.

"Collectively, we are in the process of addressing issues of national and international concern, and learning lessons from the recent past. By the time the Grand Prix arrives we will be able to remind the world about Bahrain at its best.

"The Bahrain Grand Prix has always been a source of national pride and it is an event than transcends politics. Not only does it receive strong support from the Government, but also from all major parties in Bahrain, including our largest opposition group, Al Wefaq, who yesterday endorsed both the BIC and motor-racing in Bahrain.

"Importantly, it will also offer a significant boost to the economy. The Grand Prix attracts 100,000 visitors, supports 3,000 jobs and generates around $500m of economic benefit. Its positive effect will be felt throughout the country.

"On behalf of Bahrain, I would like to thank Bernie Ecclestone, Jean Todt and the FIA and the rest of the motorsport community for the support and understanding they have extended to us this year."

Mercedes GP boss Ross Brawn revealed earlier this week that Formula 1 teams had informed Bernie Ecclestone that a December 11 finale was "totally unacceptable".

"I think it is unacceptable and we've told Bernie that and he knows our opinion," said Brawn. "If we continue to take those sort of approaches then we will run into problems because our people cannot be expected to work in that environment and situation, so I think it is totally unacceptable."

Red Bull said in a short statement that the Formula One Teams' Association would discuss the decision internally.

"Red Bull Racing has acknowledged the FIA World Motor Sport Council's decision to go ahead with the 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix.

"We will go through the correct channels and discuss this decision within the appropriate forum with the other F1 teams and our fellow FOTA members."

I get the impression we'll be getting a FOTA protest about the late finish...

[myownalias]

If Bahrain couldn't host it on the agreed date then in my opinion they should have to omit their GP for 2011; why should other GP's have to be moved to accommodate them, not to mentioned extended an already long season even further and the idea or Bahrain or India having it's race in December is ludicrous, the teams/personnel need to have a break at the end of the year!

[scotty]

I think it worked out conveniently as rumour has it India is having problems being ready on time...

[myownalias]

I think it worked out conveniently as rumour has it India is having problems being ready on time...

And my opinion on that is; same as Bahrain; if India are not able to host the race on the agreed date; they forfeit their race for 2011, 18 races is plenty for one season!

[phil12321]

I think it worked out conveniently as rumour has it India is having problems being ready on time...

And my opinion on that is; same as Bahrain; if India are not able to host the race on the agreed date; they forfeit their race for 2011, 18 races is plenty for one season!

Not to the millions of people in India and Bahrain that make money off of GP's and need that sort of economic development. Those countries would lose hundreds of millions of dollars and credibility if the race was canceled for the season. We need to have some compassion for those who have dreamed of formula one being in their country. It is these countries support that keep F1 with a high level of Global appeal.

[oaba09]

I have no problem w/ it...

More races = longer season = better for F1 fans(that's one less week of the off season)

[nish2280]

Just in case some of you forgot why this is a disgrace to Formula One.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejm7D_7H ... ntrinter=1

[Woodchip]

I'm quite disgusted athe the WMSC turning a blind eye to everything that's gone on there. It's interesting that they say it's nothing to do with money, when the thought had never even crossed my mind. "Thou does protest too much".

[Fred_C_Dobbs]

The protesters grievances were not/have not been addressed. If anything, government censorship and repression in Bahrain is even worse now than before.

The protesters never believed their actions of themselves would cause the government to acquiesce. Their purpose always was to create news to bring international pressure to bear on Bahrain. But their protests largely were lost amid the noise of similar protests in other Arab countries, at least one of which NATO chose to intervene in.

So now the protesters are in the fall-back-and-regroup mode. And counter to what Bernie seemingly thinks, they haven't gone away, haven't been appeased, and aren't hapless dolts. They simply are waiting for the appropriate time to resurrect their movement.

Right now, I'm thinking 30 October, must be looking awfully choice to them.




If SkyBet are making odd that Bahrain again will be canceled, I'm in for a fiver.