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F1 SUPREMO Bernie Ecclestone made a last-ditch bid to save the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix shortly before the event organisers conceded it was impossible, Formula One’s ruling body, the FIA has revealed.
Mr Ecclestone, the commercial ring-master of the sport, wanted to move the race from October 30 to December 4, rather than take it off the calendar, according to a detailed time-line of the unfolding fiasco published on the FIA website.
In this, it said: “The commercial rights holder (FOWCL) proposed to the FIA that the GP of Bahrain be rescheduled for December 4, with the GP of India reinstated on its original date of October 30. The FIA replied the same day, asking FOWCL to provide guarantees that any new date proposal is acceptable both to the teams and to the organisers in Bahrain.”
This revelation added a new twist to the story of how the race, originally scheduled to open the season, then postponed because of civil unrest in Bahrain, was brought back to the calendar last Friday, but without the support of the teams.
It also makes Mr Ecclestone’s actions more transparent as he attempted to save the race as the season-ender and avoid conflict with the teams, who did not want to see the inaugural Indian Grand Prix moved from its date of October 30.
Thousands of F1 fans in Bahrain were left distraught after being promised a race in 2011 only to find the country facing growing driver and team unrest, a barrage of international press criticism and attacks from former FIA president Max Mosley, who was once barred from attending a race in Bahrain following unsavoury revelations about his private life.
In the light of the ongoing difficulties relating to the rescheduling of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, Bahrain International Circuit’s chairman Zayed R Al Zayani had little choice but to step in. He said: “Whilst Bahrain would have been delighted to see the Grand Prix progress on October 30 in line with the World Motor Sport Council’s decision, it has been made clear that this fixture cannot progress and we fully respect that decision.
“Bahrain has always sought to play a positive role in the continued development of Formula One, from pioneering F1 racing in the Middle East, to helping other countries in facilitating their own races in new territories, as well as providing our own unique experience and universal welcome to Grand Prix supporters.
“Bahrain has absolutely no desire to see a race which would further extend the calendar and detract from the enjoyment of F1 for either drivers, teams or supporters. Therefore, in the best interest of the sport, we will not pursue the rescheduling of a race this season.
“We look forward to welcoming teams, their drivers and supporters back to Bahrain next year and would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our supporters, including staff, volunteers, sponsors, private businesses and the general public, for whom I know this year’s decision will be a disappointment.”
Bahrain is provisionally listed to host the 2012 opening race on March 11.
