Bernie Ecclestone says Bahrain Grand Prix decision will be made before the start of the season
The Formula 1 President, Bernie Ecclestone said that the Bahrain Grand Prix decision will be made in March before the 2011 Formula 1 season starts in Melbourne. He further explained that the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile Principal, Jean Todt
also agrees to fit in the Bahrain GP in the later part of the year.
Talking about the allegations that were raised by many Formula 1 people that the decision was not so timely and that the FIA took it easy, Ecclestone said, “Shortly before the crisis I had lunch with the Crown Prince HRH Prince Salman and there was absolutely
no indication of what would come just days after. Of course we needed a decision by February 21, and that is what I told him.” He further said that the decision taken by the Prince was the wise one after the political issue of the country was out of hand.
Most of the teams and officials have already started to comment that squeezing the Bahrain GP into the race schedule will be a hard task, as having three back-to-back races will be impossible for the teams. Bahrain's Economic Development Board Chairman,
Sheikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa said, “Bahrain is still seeking the possibility of hosting the much-awaited race later this year.”
When asked about the speculations that one extra race can be scheduled anywhere in Europe, Ecclestone strongly said that no other venue is acceptable except Bahrain. He further explained that Bahrain will have to file a legal application for a re-entry this
season. He even said that the teams will be wise enough not to refuse some summer dates for the test because the Formula 1 world needs to support the suffering nation.
As most of the critics were saying that the Formula 1 management was rather political on the Bahrain issue, Ecclestone said that he would never love to be involved in politics. As far as his role in Formula 1 is concerned he said, “Five thousand people have
jobs which are directly or indirectly connected to Formula One, and I want to secure these jobs.”
It will be interesting to see how Ecclestone fits the Bahrain GP into the race schedule. It will give the racing fans in Bahrain something to cheer about.
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