PDA

View Full Version : Bahrain may be rescheduled for summer - Ecclestone



tinkertiler
02-03-2011, 12:21 AM
Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone says a decision on rescheduling the Bahrain Grand Prix will be made before the season begins in Australia on 27 March.

The race was called off as the opener because of civil unrest and now Ecclestone has hinted it may be slotted in during August's three-week break.

"A decision has to be made before the season starts," said Ecclestone.

"I think the teams are sensible enough even to race in Bahrain in the summer break and despite high temperatures."

A three-week break between 1-26 August, when the teams have to close their factories for a fortnight as part of a cost-cutting agreement, provides the obvious gap in the calendar.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said last week that it would "be a challenge" to squeeze the Bahrain race back on to the schedule.

The thought of losing August's welcome break and the weather in Bahrain at that time of year - when the average temperature is 38 degrees Celsius - could make that a difficult proposition for the teams.

David Bond Blog
F1 will feel the impact of the decision less severely than the Bahrain government, who have invested so much in bringing the sport to their country

However, Ecclestone has rejected suggestions by some teams that it would be easier to relocate a 20th race in Europe.

"We don't need an alternative race anywhere in Europe or any other place," he said on the official Formula 1 website.

"We need a race in Bahrain. If the crown prince [Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa] is of the opinion that his country is able to host a race we will return to Bahrain."

Formula 1 was preparing for its longest season, with 20 races originally planned on a packed calendar that runs from March until the final race in Brazil on 27 November.

Melbourne will now stage the first race of the campaign after the Crown Prince of Bahrain called off the race at the Sakhir circuit so Bahrain could focus on its "national interest".

The focus now is on whether the Bahrain race will be rescheduled.

"The [motorsport governing body] FIA world council will meet at the beginning of March and could look into the situation," Ecclestone added.

"To do that the FIA has to change the calendar and Bahrain has to apply for a new slot.

"I have already spoken with FIA president Jean Todt about the possibility of finding a new date."

Click to play

Force India's Di Resta talks to BBC Breakfast

Scotland's Paul di Resta, who is preparing for his debut F1 campaign with Force India, told the BBC on Tuesday that preparations are continuing as normal, despite the delayed start to the season.

"Travel plans are changing a lot but at the same time we need to do the same job, whether it's Bahrain, Melbourne or the next grand prix," Di Resta said.

"I'm sure we'll be back in Bahrain in the near future and it would be great to get that extra race back in the calendar


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9410531.stm