FOTA wants Bahrain delayposted in F107 | 06 | 2011
FORMULA ONE teams have united in stating to the sport's bosses, the FIA, that they do not want to race in Bahrain on the new October 30. But the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) has admitted the teams are willing to consider discussing a future slot for the event later in the year.
The news is a major blow to the FIA which only a few days ago reinstated the Bahrain GP to the 2011 calendar, switching the inaugural Indian Grand Prix to the season finale to either December 4 or 11.
Over the past 36 hours, the F1 teams — led, it's believed, by Red Bull and Ross Brawn at Mercedes GP — have held intensive talks to discuss their response to the situation.
Though no official word has been released by FOTA, it's believed a letter has been sent to the FIA, Formula One Management and the Bahrain Grand Prix organisers outlining FOTA's position.
What is also understood is the letter has made it clear in no uncertain terms that its members do not want to race in Bahrain on October 30; it goes on to state it would prefer that the Indian GP be put back to the original slot it originally had in the calendar.
In what is rapidly turning into something of a confusing political and organisational mess, FOTA also says it has not closed the door totally on a return of the Bahrain GP this year; it is willing to discuss a future date — perhaps in December — when the race could be rescheduled.
That in itself is unsettling. What would the situation in the sport be if, after the scheduled final race in Brazil on November 27, two of three drivers are within a few points of each other and Formula One heads to Bahrain for a predicted thrilling finale …. only for the race at Sakhir to be cancelled because of the riots and protests which the militants have already promised to initiate if the race goes ahead?
FOTA's letter comes just hours after F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone said: "The way things are at the moment, we have no idea what is going to happen.
"Better that we move Bahrain to the end of the season and, if things are safe and well, then that is fine, we can go. If they are not, then we don't go and there are no problems."
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Craig James