Bahrain GP 2011 - UPDATED

[Chrissie]

OK so I didn't notice any specific thread on this and seeing how there was supposed to be a decision made by tomorrow (now apparently changed by Bernie - see below) I thought it wouldn't do any harm to have a thread to post any updates we get over the next few weeks...

Ecclestone willing to give Bahrain time

Quote:Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is willing to give Bahrain Grand Prix organisers more time to decide whether or not they can hold their race this year, ahead of this weekend's deadline laid down by the FIA.

"We need to wait a little bit to see exactly how progress is made," Ecclestone was quoted as saying by the Reuters news agency. "I suppose we'd be safe by early June or something like that."

He added: "Things can change in a couple of weeks...so you don't know. All of a sudden everything might be peaceful in a month's time and they are happy to run the event and so we are happy to be there."

...and what the circuit chairman had to say:
Bahrain wants F1 back 'in near future'

Quote:"Clearly our national priority is to find a resolution to the difficulties that the kingdom of Bahrain has experienced. The national situation has moved on in a positive manner, the situation is evolving all the time; our day-to-day life is gradually improving under the current State of National Safety.

"Bahrain's grand prix is a time of celebration and hosting the race is a source of great pride for Bahrain and Bahrainis. It is a showcase to the world and we look forward to welcoming the teams and drivers and everyone involved in Formula 1 back to Bahrain in the very near future."

Personally, I'd be surprised if it did take place this year...and if I'm honest, I wouldn't be awfully disappointed if it didnt go ahead either

[alonso 4ever]

aha, have to agree with u chrissie...

it's unlikely to take place this year :(

some poeple who killed police men will be executed soon, which for sure make things worse..

only God knows what is waiting for us...

[Tension_36th]

There is a political disaster going there with human rights atrocities committed by by both sides more so on the govt's. And here we have this bernie bastard claiming F1 is of paramount importance.

Since when is F1 of any importance other than entertainment value? This moron thinks way too highly of itself and of its shitty enterprise..

He must be betting the Libyans are so depressed they don't have F1 in their region yet.

[alonso 4ever]

yes, we r going through a disaster u r right..
just to be on the safe side, don't follow all news channels coz they say anything and everything!!
the gov is ding what they should do to gain control over the country again

beleive me the last thing bahrainis think about at the moment is F1!!!!!!!

we really need our country and life to be back to normal and feel it's fully safe...

then we may think of F1!!!

i personally feel they should cancel it this year..

[funkyfish]

Bahrain deadline extended

Quote: The FIA has given the Bahrain Grand Prix organisers a further month to decide whether it will be possible to hold the race on a new date in 2011.

The event was originally postponed from its planned slot as the season-opener due to the political unrest in the state, but organisers was always hoped that the situation would improve sufficiently for the race to take place later in the year.

The FIA had initially given the Bahrain authorities until yesterday (1 May) to indicate whether the race could be run this year.

But last week Bernie Ecclestone called for Bahrain to be given more time, telling Reuters that "we need to wait a little bit to see exactly how progress is made."

It now seems that the governing body agrees with Eccletone's stance as it has announced a new deadline of 3 June for Bahrain to report back.

"The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile, has granted the Bahrain Motor Federation and the Bahrain International Circuit an extension until June 3rd, date of the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Barcelona," said an FIA statement.

"This decision was taken after consultation with the relevant Bahraini authorities and Formula One Management, the international promoter."

The Bahrain organisers issued a statement at the weekend saying that they were keen to hold the race as soon as possible, but without committing to whether a 2011 rescheduling would be possible.

Circuit chairman said Zayed Rashid Alzayani: "Clearly our national priority is to find a resolution to the difficulties that the kingdom of Bahrain has experienced. The national situation has moved on in a positive manner, the situation is evolving all the time; our day-to-day life is gradually improving under the current State of National Safety.

"Bahrain's grand prix is a time of celebration and hosting the race is a source of great pride for Bahrain and Bahrainis. It is a showcase to the world and we look forward to welcoming the teams and drivers and everyone involved in Formula 1 back to Bahrain in the very near future."

Source: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/91083

I personally think thats a mistake, I think they should have just cancelled it for this year. Bahrain needs to concentrate on sorting out their problems not Formula 1. As they have extended the deadline I think that's a sign that it will go ahead, otherwise why bother extended the deadline? Also all the time they extend the deadline, what about the people who wants to buy tickets to the races/book hotels and flights near the end
of the season? You wouldn't want to book to find the dates move to fit the Bahrain race in near the end or is the FIA going to offer compensation to all the people in that situation?

[alonso 4ever]

yeah...

one more month..

but i really don't see what is their point....

i don't want to be negative but better luck next year!!

[icegirljenni]

Is the situation stills bad there?

[alonso 4ever]

well, everywhere u see police and check points also the army in some places...

also u can't go to some areas as they still didn't finish or keep quite..

and as i said some executions will take place.. don't know when but that won't help at all

i personally think that fans will find it difficult to attend the race (from inside and outside bahrain)

[icegirljenni]

So the situation wasn't improve much since March. I do really hope someone could step up and do something. To live in such a situation is hard

Soon everything will be alright

[alonso 4ever]

so sweet of u jenni :)

whatever God will bring to us we will accept it...

the thing is that they r somehow trapped inside their villages..

we can go out but come home early.. we used to be out till late in weekends but now i just want to come back home

[Chrissie]

Judging by this report, I fear that the race will go ahead

Bahrain 'ready' to host Formula 1 race

Oh well, as long as Bernie gets his money, what else matters?

[alonso 4ever]

WHAT????

oh my God!!
as i said before, i dont know how fans will be able to come :(

i don't think we will go, right mr alonso 4ever?? haha

[F1 Fan]

Well, I think that the tickets will be relatively cheaper this year and the stands will be full of locals since they would need a peaceful break..

We may go together to the Bahrain GP if you would change your name from "Alonso 4ever" to "Mrs F1 Fan" One more condition: You should forgo the Ferrari prize (our bet, remember?)

[alonso 4ever]

loooooooooooaooooooooooool

no way......
beside,i don't think i want to go!!!
also a bet is a bet.....

[F1 Fan]

Lets wait and see...

[alonso 4ever]

here's an update.. let's see what will happen in the future

HM King Hamad Issues Decree on Lifting State of National Safety

Manama, May 8. (BNA) - His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa today issued Royal Decree 39 for the year 2011 on lifting the State of National Safety.

According to the Decree, the State of National Safety will be lifted on June 1, 2011.
His Royal Highness Prime Minister, the Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF), National Guard Chief and ministers are tasked to implement the decree.

(http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/455725)

[Chrissie]

They can't be serious, right?

Quote:F1 ponders Dec 4 slot for Indian GP

Formula 1 chiefs are considering a move to make the Indian Grand Prix the season finale on December 4, AUTOSPORT has learned, as a way of slotting the Bahrain GP back on the calendar.

As discussions continue between Bernie Ecclestone, the FIA and Bahrain officials about the race returning to the schedule, high level sources have revealed that Indian officials have been asked to look at a race date change to help accommodate the Sakhir event.

AUTOSPORT understands that the current plan being favoured, should Bahrain be given the green light to return to the schedule, is for the Middle Eastern race to take India's current October 30 slot.

There would then be a two-week gap before the Abu Dhabi GP on November 13, after which the young driver test would take place from November 15-17.

Brazil would then keep its current November 27 date, with India then being moved to December 4.

With the FIA due to decide on June 3 whether or not Bahrain can take place, sources suggest that chiefs want the end of season schedule reshuffle sorted before then rather than waiting to see what happens with the Gulf island state race.

Although it is understood Indian officials have been asked to look at the new date, no decision has yet been taken about whether it will happen.

FIA president Jean Todt said at the Turkish Grand Prix that he was happy to give Bahrain more time.

"We completely sympathise with the problems that are happening, and we all understand that it would not have been possible to keep the grand prix as the first race of the championship," he said.

"I think if you are in a difficult situation, you need support. That is our responsibility. We need to give some support and it will penalise nobody to have a final answer by June 3."

[icegirljenni]

DEC 4th???????????????????????????????????? Seriously????

[alonso 4ever]

1st of june is a big day for bahrain....
let's hope nothing happen and life will go back to normal...

then we will be more than happy to host an f1 race...

i don't know whether i'll go or no...

[icegirljenni]

Everything will be alright

Even if no F1 there is fine, as long as the country is safe is what we are hoping for...