Patient tone from Ecclestone as everyone realizes Bahrain cannot rescue F1 from it’s Human Rights disaster

Ecclestone hopeful Bahrain GP goes ahead
© AP, 27 May 2011
© AP Images

Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone still hopes the Bahrain Grand Prix will go ahead but admits finding a prospective date in an already long season could yet prove a headache.

F1’s governing body has given Bahrain until June 3 to decide if a new date can be set for the race this year.

It was meant to be the season opener on March 13, but was canceled by Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa after anti-government protests in the country.

“I hope F1 will be racing there, the teams are happy, the problem is the date,” Ecclestone said Thursday at the Monaco Grand Prix. “The trouble for the teams is that it is difficult with all their people, so they’re going to speak to them and find out what the general feeling is.”

Team chiefs discussed the matter after Thursday’s second practice session in Monaco had ended.

The decision whether the race goes ahead, and when, will be made during next week’s World Motor Sport Council meeting in Barcelona.

One possible option is for the Bahrain Grand Prix to take India’s slot at the end of October, meaning New Delhi would have to wait until early December for its inaugural appearance — a move that would also add to an arduous season.

“The teams are concerned they will be overextended, but we have to make a decision because the teams want to know what is going on,” Ecclestone said, adding that there will be no extension to Bahrain’s deadline.

As things currently stand, the Brazilian Grand Prix is scheduled to be the last of the season on Nov. 27.
…source