Bernie Ecclestone aiming to reschedule the Bahrain Grand Prix at end of 2011 – Formula 1
Chief of Formula 1 Management Bernie Ecclestone recently stated that since there is no chance of holding the Bahrain Grand Prix during the 2011 Formula 1 season’s summer break, the organisers are now aiming for a date at the end of the year for the race
to take place.
“I'm hoping beyond hope things settle peacefully and we find a slot later in the year. If there is peace in Bahrain then we will be there, we will find a way,” he said.
Since the weather in Bahrain is too hot, it would get very difficult for the teams to handle their cars. The temperature reaches up to 40 degrees Centigrade in the summers which is too hot for Formula 1 and the chief also stated that the turnout will not
be as promising as the FIA is expecting either.
Bernie stated that the FIA is expected to hold the World Motor Sport Council meeting on March 8, 2011 during which the organisers will discuss the rescheduling of the Bahrain Grand Prix.
He added that the FIA is thinking of moving the Brazilian Grand Prix a week back. The Brazilian race is expected to take place on November 27.
“We'll have a look at what we can do with the date, maybe we can swap things round a bit with Brazil or something,” said Bernie.
Ecclestone hopes that things settle down peacefully in Bahrain and the FIA comes up with a reasonable slot for the Bahrain Grand Prix later on this year.
The decision of cancelling the Bahrain Grand Prix was suggested by the Crown Prince of Bahrain Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. There was nothing the FIA could do as Bernie stated that since the person who runs the country knows best about his own country
and since he was not comfortable with the idea of holding a Formula 1 race in his country at the moment, the FIA made the right decision by cancelling it.
“Whether if we were there it would have given the opportunity for more unrest or not, I don't know. But I'd hate, had it happened, that we were the cause so people could suddenly get a lot more publicity by sabotaging Formula One,” he said.
The 2011 Formula 1 season was expected to be the first Formula 1 season in the history of the sport to hold 20 races in a single year but since the Bahrain Grand Prix is currently in jeopardy, it seems that Bernie’s dream of a 20-race season will not come
true this season.
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