Bahrain GP deadline extended till June 3rd: FIA spokesman – Formula 1
The statement released from the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) officials has stated that the Bahrain International Circuit’s (BIC) organizers will be given more time to decide about the future of the race in 2011.
The new date given to Bahrain is the 3rd of June for the FIA world motorsport council to sit and make the final decision in Barcelona.
The decision about Bahrain Grand Prix’s future was due on Sunday the 1st of May but the final statement from the FIA has given the kingdom some more time.
The statement from the FIA read, “The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile has granted the Bahrain Motor Federation and the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) an extension until June 3rd”.
The statement further elaborated that the decision was a mutual consensus between the Bahraini officials, Formula 1 and FIA officials.
The decision is highly appreciated by the Bahrain GP official, Chairman Zayed Rashid Alzayani, who said that the decision is a clear depiction that the Formula 1 world cares about the struggling Bahraini nation.
Rashid expressed his feelings, saying, “We gratefully acknowledge the understanding of Formula One Management and the FIA in what have been difficult times. We also thank the continued support of the international motorsport community and Formula One fans
around the world”.
Bahrain GP was scheduled to be held on the 13th of March as a 2011 season opener but after the country’s political situation got out of hand amid the uprising wave in Middle East, the Prince of Bahrain, HRH Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa,
withdrew from hosting the race.
Formula 1 supremo, Bernie Ecclestone, hoped that the Formula 1 world will soon visit the struggling nation in the name of good gesture. Bernie hoped that the race will be rescheduled in 2011 season.
Now as the decision is postponed to the first week of June, Bahrain will have considerable time to rethink their political strategy and host a race in the 2011 season, most likely, in the first week of November.
For now, the decision is postponed so that the Formula 1 world can concentrate on the first race of the European season which is due on the 8th of May.
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