FIA confirms Bahrain GP's cancellation
Inaugural Indian Grand Prix to be held in October.
PARIS:
Formula One's governing body FIA put to rest doubts surrounding the holding of the Bahrain Grand Prix after confirming the race will not be part of the 2011 programme.
The race, originally scheduled for March 13, was called off in February after unrest in Bahrain saw more than 30 deaths during protests in the country. However, the race was reinstated and rescheduled for October 30 but teams objected on logistical grounds, forcing Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone to cancel the race.
The verdict stands
The World Motor Sport Council, which decides on rules and regulations for the FIA, has voted in favour of staging the inaugural Indian Grand Prix in its place on October 30.
The FIA's earlier decision in June to restore Bahrain's race – in the October slot and shifting Indian Grand Prix to December 11 – was also unanimous but proved highly controversial and also outraged human rights campaigners.
The cancellation was inevitable and with the teams disagreeing on staging the race in Bahrain, the body had little choice.
Concerns were raised to the 'FIA and Formule One's commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone, voicing strict opposition to the idea of a race in December.
Fota - which represents all the Formula One teams bar back-of-the-grid Hispania - explained how a grand prix so late in the year would be "unbearable to our staff".
Mosley gets his way
Max Mosley, the former head of world motorsport, said the sport would suffer enormous damage if the race was given a go-ahead.
"I will be astonished if the event goes ahead. I don't think it will happen," Mosley told BBC Radio 5 live at the time.
Bahrain lifted emergency law this month after crushing anti-government protests but tensions remain high and security concerns persist.
The race remains on the FIA's provisional 2012 calendar as the season-opener on March 11, although one of the 21 races is expected to be dropped. AGENCIES
Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, June 19th, 2011.
PARIS
Formula One's governing body FIA put to rest doubts surrounding the holding of the Bahrain Grand Prix after confirming the race will not be part of the 2011 programme.
The race, originally scheduled for March 13, was called off in February after unrest in Bahrain saw more than 30 deaths during protests in the country. However, the race was reinstated and rescheduled for October 30 but teams objected on logistical grounds, forcing Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone to cancel the race.
The verdict stands
The World Motor Sport Council, which decides on rules and regulations for the FIA, has voted in favour of staging the inaugural Indian Grand Prix in its place on October 30.
The FIA's earlier decision in June to restore Bahrain's race – in the October slot and shifting Indian Grand Prix to December 11 – was also unanimous but proved highly controversial and also outraged human rights campaigners.
The cancellation was inevitable and with the teams disagreeing on staging the race in Bahrain, the body had little choice.
Concerns were raised to the 'FIA and Formule One's commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone, voicing strict opposition to the idea of a race in December.
Fota - which represents all the Formula One teams bar back-of-the-grid Hispania - explained how a grand prix so late in the year would be "unbearable to our staff".
Mosley gets his way
Max Mosley, the former head of world motorsport, said the sport would suffer enormous damage if the race was given a go-ahead.
"I will be astonished if the event goes ahead. I don't think it will happen," Mosley told BBC Radio 5 live at the time.
Bahrain lifted emergency law this month after crushing anti-government protests but tensions remain high and security concerns persist.
The race remains on the FIA's provisional 2012 calendar as the season-opener on March 11, although one of the 21 races is expected to be dropped.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2011.
Formula One's governing body FIA put to rest doubts surrounding the holding of the Bahrain Grand Prix after confirming the race will not be part of the 2011 programme.
The race, originally scheduled for March 13, was called off in February after unrest in Bahrain saw more than 30 deaths during protests in the country. However, the race was reinstated and rescheduled for October 30 but teams objected on logistical grounds, forcing Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone to cancel the race.
The verdict stands
The World Motor Sport Council, which decides on rules and regulations for the FIA, has voted in favour of staging the inaugural Indian Grand Prix in its place on October 30.
The FIA's earlier decision in June to restore Bahrain's race – in the October slot and shifting Indian Grand Prix to December 11 – was also unanimous but proved highly controversial and also outraged human rights campaigners.
The cancellation was inevitable and with the teams disagreeing on staging the race in Bahrain, the body had little choice.
Concerns were raised to the 'FIA and Formule One's commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone, voicing strict opposition to the idea of a race in December.
Fota - which represents all the Formula One teams bar back-of-the-grid Hispania - explained how a grand prix so late in the year would be "unbearable to our staff".
Mosley gets his way
Max Mosley, the former head of world motorsport, said the sport would suffer enormous damage if the race was given a go-ahead.
"I will be astonished if the event goes ahead. I don't think it will happen," Mosley told BBC Radio 5 live at the time.
Bahrain lifted emergency law this month after crushing anti-government protests but tensions remain high and security concerns persist.
The race remains on the FIA's provisional 2012 calendar as the season-opener on March 11, although one of the 21 races is expected to be dropped. AGENCIES
Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, June 19th, 2011.
PARIS
Formula One's governing body FIA put to rest doubts surrounding the holding of the Bahrain Grand Prix after confirming the race will not be part of the 2011 programme.
The race, originally scheduled for March 13, was called off in February after unrest in Bahrain saw more than 30 deaths during protests in the country. However, the race was reinstated and rescheduled for October 30 but teams objected on logistical grounds, forcing Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone to cancel the race.
The verdict stands
The World Motor Sport Council, which decides on rules and regulations for the FIA, has voted in favour of staging the inaugural Indian Grand Prix in its place on October 30.
The FIA's earlier decision in June to restore Bahrain's race – in the October slot and shifting Indian Grand Prix to December 11 – was also unanimous but proved highly controversial and also outraged human rights campaigners.
The cancellation was inevitable and with the teams disagreeing on staging the race in Bahrain, the body had little choice.
Concerns were raised to the 'FIA and Formule One's commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone, voicing strict opposition to the idea of a race in December.
Fota - which represents all the Formula One teams bar back-of-the-grid Hispania - explained how a grand prix so late in the year would be "unbearable to our staff".
Mosley gets his way
Max Mosley, the former head of world motorsport, said the sport would suffer enormous damage if the race was given a go-ahead.
"I will be astonished if the event goes ahead. I don't think it will happen," Mosley told BBC Radio 5 live at the time.
Bahrain lifted emergency law this month after crushing anti-government protests but tensions remain high and security concerns persist.
The race remains on the FIA's provisional 2012 calendar as the season-opener on March 11, although one of the 21 races is expected to be dropped.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2011.