May date for Bahrainposted in F108 | 03 | 2011

BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX organisers must decided within seven weeks whether they plan to put the Formula One race on this year following its cancellation.

The matter was discussed at today's FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting in Paris, but while no decision was made on what will happen, the race organisers have been give till May 1 to inform the FIA of their plans.

If the race is rescheduled for later in the year, it's expected it will form a double-header with Abu Dhabi towards the end of the season, with the Brazilian season finale being moved.

"The World Motor Sport Council asked the Bahrain Motor Federation to communicate by May 1 at the latest if the Bahrain Grand Prix can be organised in 2011," a statement issued by the governing body said.

At the root of any decision which will be made is the political unrest, violence and killings which forced the original cancellation of the grand prix which had been scheduled for this Sunday, March 13.

Understandably, Bahrain would need to guarantee there was no chance of any further unrest in the Gulf state. That though could prove almost impossible, given the fact a number of rebel groups informed the Crown Prince that they would target the F1 grand prix if it was to go ahead.

F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone meanwhile has made it clear the sport will do everything it can to fit Bahrain in if the political situation allows.

"I don't know how likely it is that there is going to be peace in Bahrain," he said, "but if there is, we will find a way. The people there have been very big supporters of us, and are becoming bigger and bigger. We have much more support in Bahrain than we did when we first started there, and if they want the race we want to supply it for them."

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Jim McGill