2011 Bahrain Grand Prix Cancelled
The 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix has been cancelled as a result of the unrest in the country. Efforts will be made to reschedule the race for later in the F1 season
Bernie Ecclestone said the cancellation or not of this season’s F1 opener in Bahrain would be down to Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa who was in the best place to judge.
But it was actually the Bahrain State’s Information Affairs Authority who made the announcement this afternoon that this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix – due to be staged at the Bahrain International Circuit on March 13th – would not go ahead.
The announcement said that “Bahrain’s priority is on overcoming tragedy, healing divisions, and rediscovering the fabric that draws this country together.” Which seems a great deal more important than a bunch of rich guys driving round in circles for the world’s entertainment.
The first race of the 2011 F1 season will now be in Adelaide on March 27th. Which on the face of it means that this year’s F1 calendar will lose a race and – if the figures we’ve heard are right – Bernie Ecclestone will be down $40 million for the Bahrain race fee.
So it’s probably a pretty safe bet that if there’s any way the Bahrain race can be scheduled back in – if and when a semblance of normality returns – we’re sure it will happen. We’re told that half the fee Bahrain are paying for the Grand Prix is a regular fee, the other half is for being the first race of the season.
Maybe Bernie can rescue the whole $40 million by shifting Bahrain to the end of the season?
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