Start of 2011 Formula 1 season delayed as Bahrain Grand Prix cancelled – Formula 1 news
After a lot of controversy and drama, it seems that the FIA has finally decided that they would have to cancel the Bahrain Grand Prix that was expected to be the season opening race for the 2011 Formula 1 season due to the political unrest in the country.
The race was expected to take place on March 13, 2011 but it seems that since the race has been cancelled, the 2011 Formula 1 season will be delayed and the season is now expected to begin on March 27 in Australia.
According to a statement issued on behalf of Bahrain’s Crown Prince, the FIA chief Bernie Ecclestone has been advised to cancel the race as it seems that the situation Bahrain is not going to fade away anytime soon and the FIA does not want to take any risks
at all.
“Although Bernie Ecclestone had graciously made clear that a decision on the race was entirely Bahrain's to make and was not yet required, we felt it was important for the country to focus on immediate issues of national interest and leave the hosting of
Bahrain's Formula One race to a later date,” the Crown Prince said.
It is believed that the statement advised a postponement rather than a cancellation but since the 2011 Formula 1 calendar is already quite filled up, it seems that rescheduling the race is not possible at the moment.
“After the events of the past week, our nation's priority is on overcoming tragedy, healing divisions and rediscovering the fabric that draws this country together; reminding the world of the very best that Bahrain is capable of as a nation once again united,”
he added.
Other than that, the final round of the pre-season test sessions has also been cancelled and the teams are expected to hold a meeting soon in order to decide the venue for the final test session.
This decision is obviously going to affect the teams a lot and it seems that Bernie’s dream of holding 20 races in a single Formula 1 season is not going to come true this year.
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