The Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) announced on Monday that the Kingdom of Bahrain would withdraw from hosting the opening round of the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship so that the country can focus on its process of national dialogue.
Last Friday, Bahrain’s Crown Prince - HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa - initiated a new national dialogue involving all sections of Bahraini society in order to resolve the current political situation in the Kingdom. The Crown Prince informed Formula One’s Bernie Ecclestone of the BIC’s decision by telephone earlier today.
HRH Prince Salman said:
“At the present time the country’s entire attention is focused on building a new national dialogue for Bahrain.
“Although Bernie Ecclestone had graciously made clear that a decision on the race was entirely Bahrain’s to make and was not yet required, we felt it was important for the country to focus on immediate issues of national interest and leave the hosting of Bahrain’s Formula 1 race to a later date.
“I would like to extend my personal gratitude to Bernie Ecclestone for his support and understanding.
“After the events of the past week, our nation’s priority is on overcoming tragedy, healing divisions and rediscovering the fabric that draws this country together; reminding the world of the very best that Bahrain is capable of as a nation once again united.”
Chairman of the Bahrain International Circuit, Zayed R. Alzayani said:
“Bahrain’s Grand Prix is a time of celebration and hosting the race is a source of great pride for Bahrain and Bahrainis. It is a showcase to the world and we look forward to welcoming the teams and drivers and everyone involved in Formula One back to Bahrain in the very near future.
“I hope that F1 and our friends around the world will understand our decision at this difficult time.”
Following the Crown Prince’s decision, Bernie Ecclestone commented:
“It is sad that Bahrain has had to withdraw from the race, we wish the whole nation well as they begin to heal their country.
“The hospitality and warmth of the people of Bahrain is a hallmark of the race there, as anyone who has been at a Bahrain Grand Prix will testify. We look forward to being back in Bahrain soon.”
No decision has been made on a new date for the rescheduling of the race, which was due to take place from March 11th to 13th.
It really is a shame, I was reading this earlier today. That track is absolutely gorgeous and given the weathers nice, one of the fastest tracks on circuit.
Now the questions start though…will a whole new track come into play? Or will Bernie get lazy and double up on another track by switching direction lol
The track is a pile of shit. Probably the only track worse is Valencia. Absolutely no passing because it’s just another Tilke pile of no passing garbage. So glad this got canceled, riots/protests or not. There won’t be another track added, and Bahrain will be off the schedule till atleast next season, it will NOT be rescheduled.
only possibility for Bahrain is after dubai/ before brazil
F1 has a mandatory 2 week gap for any new track to compensate for unknown freight/prep times so doesn’t leave much opportunity in the current schedule unless they place it in the august vacation slot. So new track unlikely my bet…
and Bahrain hosting in august with the shitty pirelli tires would be crazy. Teams will be pitting every ten laps for new tires i would think lol Would be a crazy race to follow… So yeah… no Bahrain, my vote!
Hah, I’m with the ginger rage. Fuck Bahrain. It was the right decision politically and logistically (safety of the crew/drivers) and the track sucks dick. No loss for me. :tup:
You must be one of those Trulli fans. Just because he can’t pass doesn’t mean everyone else can’t. I for one like tight tracks with minimal passing opportunities. It really separates the amazingly skilled drivers from the “good” drivers. < I say that because it’s F1…they’re all good. Look at the past winners of it.
04-M. Schumacher
05/06- Alonso
07/08-Massa
09 - Button
And last year Alonso won again. The track brings out the utmost skill in drivers and the gives others a chance to challenge their skills and show what they REALLY have. That’s what low passing tracks are meant to do. Having raced karts for many years I know this personally, so don’t come back at me (when you do) and tell me that “I don’t know shit,” or something stereotypical like that. When a track like Mosport came up it was always a great race because it’s tight and you have to find places to pass and capitalize on others mistakes.
This is why I don’t respond to F1 threads on public forums. It’s filled with people who really don’t know shit. I dislike trulli for the record, he has no place in F1. Past winners of a race have nothing to do with how poorly designed the circuit is. A team with arguably the best car in each of those seasons won the race based purely on a qualifying performance and walked it in to the end while the rest of the parade sat behind them… WOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I bet you’re a Tilke fan aren’t you?
Bahrain is a shit track. I m happy this race isn’t taking place.
Melbourne is exactly where the f1 season should start. Massive amount of passing, and multiple lines through some corners.
Last year the rules changed and Bahrain didn’t allow for good competition, because of the lack of passing. This year the rules are changed again, lets see how exciting the season starts off this year.
As for the winners Jplatt listed, it doesn’t matter. If you actually watched the racing last year, then like the millions of fans, you would agree the race sucked. Very fast cars were stuck behind slower ones, and couldn’t take risk to pass other cars, simply because of the lack of down force when they left the slipstream. And since this is one of those new tracks, there weren’t many lines or places to go in order to pass people. The only way you could pass people was by posting fast in lap or out lap times in comparisons with the cars in front of you, or if you were pressuring someone and they made a mistake, which is uncommon in F1.
