The Bahrain Grand Prix, postponed from its original season-opening date in March due to political turmoil and civil unrest in the Gulf state, will be staged later this year, organisers announced on Friday.
The decision to hold the race in Manama on October 30 was taken by Formula One’s ruling body the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council at a meeting in Barcelona. The green light was given after a visit by an FIA delegation to assess conditions in Bahrain this week. Zayed Rashid Alzayani, the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) chairman, welcomed the move. He said in a statement: “As a country we have faced a difficult time, but stability has returned; with businesses operating close to normal, the State of National Safety lifted and countries removing travel restrictions. “Collectively, we are in the process of addressing issues of national and international concern, and learning lessons from the recent past. By the time the Grand Prix arrives we will be able to remind the world about Bahrain at its best.”
The rescheduled race will take the place of the Indian Grand Prix, which will now bring the curtain down on the 2011 season in December. The original Bahrain GP at the circuit in Sakhir on March 13 was called off in February after pro-democracy protests left more than 20 people dead. Bahrain staged its first race in 2004. After unanimous support for reintegrating Bahrain on the 2011 calendar the FIA said their decision reflected “the spirit of reconciliation in Bahrain”. Motorsport’s governing body added: “The World Motor Sport Council feels that reinstating the Grand Prix is a means of helping to unite people as the country looks to move forward….” Friday’s decision may not be welcomed by all the teams who have been urged to boycott the race by an online petition of over 300,000 signatures.
The announcement was not unexpected after F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone had said Tuesday that he was hopeful the 2011 race would be saved.
Alzayani underlined the importance to Bahrain of hosting their F1 event. “The Bahrain Grand Prix has always been a source of national pride and it is an event than transcends politics,” he declared. “Not only does it receive strong support from the Government, but also from all major parties in Bahrain, including our largest opposition group, Al Wefaq, who yesterday (Thursday) endorsed both the BIC and motor-racing in Bahrain. “Importantly, it will also offer a significant boost to the economy. The Grand Prix attracts 100,000 visitors, supports 3,000 jobs and generates around $500m of economic benefit. Its positive effect will be felt throughout the country. “On behalf of Bahrain, I would like to thank Bernie Ecclestone, (FIA president) Jean Todt and the FIA and the rest of the motorsport community for the support and understanding they have extended to us this year.”
