Ecclestone to call off Bahrain Grand Prix

Race set to be called off after organisers give in.


Afp June 12, 2011

MONTREAL:


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


The FIA confirmed it had received an updated calendar proposal from Ecclestone and had asked members of the World Motor Sport Council to approve the calendar changes no later than midday on Tuesday.

Earlier, Ecclestone made a last-ditch bid to save the race shortly before the event organisers conceded it was impossible, wanting to have it moved from October 30 to December 4, rather than take it off the calendar. However, an announcement made by the Bahrain organisers that they had given up pursuing the race for 2011 left Eccelestone without a project to support.

De La Rosa to stand in for Perez

Meanwhile, veteran Spanish driver Pedro de la Rosa was informed on Friday that he was racing for Sauber as replacement for Mexican rookie Sergio Perez at the Canadian Grand Prix.

De la Rosa was called in when Perez said he felt sick after driving in Friday morning’s free practice session at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Perez had suffered severe concussion following a major accident at the Monaco Grand Prix two weeks ago.

De la Rosa said he had arrived in Canada aware that Sauber could need him, but was sure that Perez was fit enough to race after he passed a fitness test on Thursday.

“I arrived here thinking it was impossible,” said the McLaren team test and reserve driver. “I knew Sergio was fine and I was sure I wouldn’t get in the car.”

Webber tells Red Bull to step it up

Mark Webber warned his Red Bull team that they need to up their performance if they want to secure front row starts in today’s Canadian Grand Prix.

After an eventful opening day, the 34-year-old Australian wound up seventh fastest, almost a second slower than pace-setter Fernando Alonso of Ferrari. Webber said the red flags had hindered his practice schedule, but admitted he was concerned about the pace of rivals McLaren and Ferrari.

“We did all our fuel loads so we were pretty compromised,” he said. “We need to chip away and get a bit quicker. Fernando was quick, but we need to get a bit more pace.”





Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2011.

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