Grand prix comes too soon for Bahrain
In the wake of the political upheaval in the Gulf kingdom that led to the deaths of six anti-government protesters last week and many hundreds injured, the announcement came as no surprise.
Bahrain is a country still in mourning following the violence that thrust it to the forefront of the world’s consciousness, and still in the grip of pro-democracy demonstrations as people seek reform.
With the F1 circus due to descend on Bahrain in just a week’s time, with the final test planned for March 3-6 ahead of the grand prix itself from March 11-13, it was clear the country could not afford for the protesters to use the grand prix as another way of attracting attention to their cause, as had been threatened.
Following discussions between the crown prince, Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and motor sport’s governing body, the FIA, it was felt the best way forward was to call off both the test and race.
“At the present time the country’s entire attention is focused on building a new national dialogue for Bahrain,” said Prince Salman.
“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.”
It would appear clear from Prince Salman’s words that Bahrain will try to stage the event at a later date, yet in a crowded calendar potential openings are few and far between.
The suggestion is between the grands prix in Abu Dhabi and Brazil at the end of November, with the likelihood the latter will then be pushed back to the first week in December, giving F1 its latest finish to a year since 1963.
