Will Bahrain Grand Prix be reinstated in 2011 Formula 1 season?
Looking at the time frame Bahrain officials were given and the current situation of the Bahrain Royal Empire, the answer to the above question is no. Let’s take a look at how the things have changed against the 2011 season opener race in Bahrain.
Initially, the Bahrain Grand Prix was scheduled to be held on March 13, 2011 as the season opener of year 2011. Before the F1 world could have moved to the State for the season opener, the political situation in the country became unstable. This could
have been the eighth consecutive time the race was going to held in Bahrain, but the ongoing situation has caused a pause.
With rising threats to the peace of the Kingdom and the message from the activists which said that the Grand Prix will be targeted to strengthen their voice in the whole world, Prince Salman called the race off.
Formula 1 chief, Bernie Ecclestone, said that the race is just postponed and will be reinstated in the later part of the year. Many suggestions were given which included, a date swapping with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix or a Bahrain Grand Prix being sandwiched
between Abu Dhabi and the Brazilian Grands Prix.
Different views from different teams came up at the time of Bahrain cancellation. Some teams said that the race should be rescheduled to help the struggling nation. Bernie himself was upbeat about the race being rescheduled, but some people thought
that the decision of cancellation was a wise one.
Williams’ especially spoke against the Bahrain Grand Prix and commented that the team would have boycotted the race had it been on March 13. Due to rising controversies for and against the Bahrain Grand Prix, the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile
chief, Jean Todt stated that the decision on the Bahrain Grand Prix will be taken on May 1.
A possible slot for Bahrain Grand Prix was in December or in the August summer break, but the later was dropped due to high temperatures and dry weather.
Now as the date of the decision is coming close, the situation in Bahrain is getting worse than settling down. The latest bad news is the message from an activist party on Facebook which says that the race should not be rescheduled until the state
is fully under control.
“Also, in support of the population of Bahrain, we're asking you reconsider hosting Grand Prix of Bahrain until basic human rights and freedom are restored, and, if you wish, to issue a letter stating that the Grand Prix cannot, and will not, be organized
in Bahrain until basic human rights and freedom are restored, and the repression is over,” said the message.
Looking at the above message, it is clear that the Bahraini people will love to have a race but the conditions are not suitable to have one. Nevertheless, the final date in the decision time is still one week away and we can just hope for the best
for the future of Bahrain Grand Prix.
For now, the first three races of the 2011 season are over and 16 scheduled races are left to be contested in the season.
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