Wanted a race in Bahrain as they have helped F1: Ecclestone
June 11th, 2011 - 4:27 pm ICT by IANSLondon, June 11 (IANS) The Bahrain Grand Prix is eventually off the 2011 Formula One (F1) calendar after a series of flip-flops by FI boss Bernie Ecclestone, who now says he was just trying to help a nation that has been very “helpful” to the sport.
The race was called-off Friday after Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) announced its withdrawal to stage the event in the wake of objections from the teams and its drivers. The FIA’s World Motor Sport Council last Friday had re-instated the race to October (28-30) but removal of it now is most likely to make way for the staging of the inaugural Indian Grand Prix on the same dates.
“We will be back to normal. We have to put it to the World Council. I sent something this morning, so it will be quick,” Ecclestone was quoted as saying by The Guardian Wednesday.
Ecclestone, while defending his earlier decision, said the teams had the right to object to the re-scheduling of the race that was cancelled in March due to anti-government protests.
“The truth of the matter is we put the calendar together and the teams race on the calendar,” he said. “We were trying to help Bahrain, who have been very helpful to Formula One, and hoping they could get themselves sorted out.
“I don’t know whether there is peace or not. I have no idea. The FIA sent somebody out to check and they said it was all OK. I think the teams had different information and they have the right to say they don’t want to change the calendar.”
When asked whether he felt sorry for the fans in Bahrain, he said: “Yeah, I was hoping everything would be fine. I definitely tried to help Bahrain, that’s for sure.”
The Gulf nation, however, has been awarded the opening race of the 2012 season.
The current season is underway in Montreal which is hosting the Canadian Grand Prix.
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- Ecclestone asks F1 teams for re-vote on Bahrain GP - Jun 07, 2011
- FIA rates Buddh's medical facility best among new circuits - Oct 28, 2011
- Indian Grand Prix could be pushed to December - May 21, 2011
- FIA asks Bahrain organisers to decide on Formula One grand prix by May 1 - Mar 09, 2011
- Vettel crowned World Champion at FIA Gala, Buddh Circuit awarded - Dec 10, 2011
- Bahrain Grand Prix deadline to be extended: Ecclestone - Apr 29, 2011
- Bahrain refuses to give up hope of rescheduling F1 grand prix - May 01, 2011
- Indian GP confirmed for Oct 2012, US round also included - Dec 08, 2011
- Force India team vehicle survives fire bomb in Manama - Apr 19, 2012
- Bahrain Grand Prix to be rescheduled for end of F1 season - Feb 21, 2011
- India to be motorsports hub in South Asia - Oct 31, 2011
Tags: bahrain grand prix, bahrain international circuit, bernie ecclestone, bic, boss, canadian grand prix, fi, fia, formula one, guardian, last friday, london, montreal, objections, peace, protests, staging, truth of the matter, world motor sport, world motor sport council