Bernie Ecclestone to remove Bahrain Grand Prix from 2011 calendar

Bernie Ecclestone has written to Formula 1's governing body to ask them to take the reinstated Bahrain Grand Prix off the 2011 calendar.

The organisers of the race, which was called offbecause of civil unrest, had earlier accepted it would not go ahead.

"We'll be back to normal," said Ecclestone. "We have to put it to the World Council. I sent something this morning, so it will be quick."

The decision was made after the teams objected to rescheduling the race.

Any change in the calendar required unanimous agreement from the teams.

"The truth of the matter is we put the calendar together and the teams race on the calendar," added Ecclestone.

"We were trying to help Bahrain, who have been very helpful to Formula 1 and hoping they could get themselves sorted out.

"I don't know whether there is peace or not, I've 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."

Bahrain circuit chairman Zayed Alzayani said in a statement: "Whilst Bahrain would have been delighted to see the grand prix progress on October 30th... it has been made clear that this fixture cannot progress and we fully respect that decision.

"We want our role in Formula 1 to continue to be as positive and constructive as it has always been, therefore, in the best interest of the sport, we will not pursue the rescheduling of a race this season."

The race in the Gulf kingdom was initially called off in February because of pro-democracy protests in which more than 20 people died.

We look forward to welcoming teams, their drivers and supporters back to Bahrain next year

Bahrain circuit chairman Zayed Alzayani

After giving Bahrain months to decide whether it was in a position to hold the race, the sport's governing body the FIA announced last Friday that it would be rescheduled for 30 October.

The FIA said that a report compiled by one of its vice-presidents, Carlos Gracia, showed that civil unrest in the country hadstabilised.

But the decision outraged human rights campaigners, and nearly half a million people signed an online petition demanding a boycott of the Bahrain race.

Cancellation was seen as inevitable since any change to the calendar required the unanimous written agreement of the teams.

They had written to the FIA and F1's commercial rights holder Ecclestone to express their opposition to the move.

FIA president Jean Todt responded on the eve of the Canadian Grand Prix in a letter to the teams where he explained he had asked Ecclestone to revise the calendar.

"I have listened to your [the teams'] last-minute objections and have asked the commercial rights holder to re-examine his calendar proposal, and if necessary, to submit a revised proposal to the World Council," the letter said.

"The FIA always has at heart the smooth running of the championship and the interest of the teams and is always prepared to address any issues, however difficult, in a constructive manner."

Todt also outlined the teams' main objections for postponing the Indian race until December as disruptive to "transport and accommodation" and travelling to Bahrain as raising "insurance problems".

Although the teams have now got their wish, two principals on Thursday criticised the way the situation had been handled to date.

"Obviously with the way things have been handled, with the uncertainty, maybe it could have been handled better, but we are where we are," Red Bull's Christian Horner said.

And Renault's Eric Boullier was harder hitting with his critique, adding: "I am pushing hard to do my best to help to build F1 and obviously it is never good when you get such reactions.

"F1 is a non-political sport. We cannot do whatever we want, because there are issues like this. We need to be a little bit more cautious."

The inaugural Indian Grand Prix, which had been provisionally moved to December to accommodate Bahrain, will now revert to the original 30 October slot.

Bahrain's Sakhir circuit is scheduled to host F1's season opener in 2012, but at this early stage there are no guarantees.

However, Alzayani added: "We look forward to welcoming teams, their drivers and supporters back to Bahrain next year."

from bbc sport