[xbook]

It is official, the season opener has been cancelled. Well Not cancelled, but postponed for who knows how long.

More news here:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89598

Can't say I am too surprised with all that is going on there. But, I am bummed nonetheless.

[Nautik]

I wonder if the season will consequently be extended by one race?

[E90SLAM]

Not announced on Formula1.com yet...but report was on various F1 related sites...

http://en.espnf1.com/bahrain/motorsp...ory/41504.html

The Bahrain Grand Prix has been postponed because of the ongoing unrest inside the state. A statement this afternoon issued on behalf of Bahrain's Crown Prince said Bernie Ecclestone had been advised of the decision earlier in the day.

The announcement referred to a postponement rather than a cancellation but it is hard to see how the race could be rescheduled inside an already busy end-of-season calendar.

"At the present time the country's entire attention is focused on building a new national dialogue for Bahrain," the Crown Prince said. "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 One race to a later date.

"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."

The final round of testing which was set to start on March 3 has been cancelled as well. The teams are due to meet in Barcelona later today to decide an alternative location.

"It's sad that Bahrain has had to withdraw from the race," Ecclestone told the BBC. "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."

The season will now start with the Australian Grand Prix on March 27

http://planet-f1.com/driver/3213/677...-Is-Called-Off

Formula One will not be heading to Bahrain for the season-opening race, which will be rescheduled in light of political unrest.

The F1 teams were expected to race at the Sakhir circuit on March 13th as the season got underway at the island kingdom.

However, recent political unrest, which has resulted in the deaths of protesters and hundreds more being injured, has forced the powers-that-be to concede there are more pressing matters than hosting a F1 race.

"At the present time the country's entire attention is focused on building a new national dialogue for Bahrain," Bahrain's Crown Prince - HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa

"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."

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who stated earlier in the week that he would leave it to the crown prince to decide whether or not it was safe for the teams to venture to Bahrain, made it clear that the race had not been cancelled, just postponed.

"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, although the Gulf News is reporting that November 6th is being touted as possible date.

[M_Six]

Dammit. I feared this would happen. Understandable, though.

Looks like we wait another two weeks for F1 to start.

[E90SLAM]

Technically its more of a "postpone" rather than just "cancelled".
So its delayed indefinitely.

[escobar929]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Dammit. I feared this would happen. Understandable, though.

Looks like we wait another two weeks for F1 to start.

wish they would just push up the Australian GP by two weeks

[F104]

Interesting to see how sponsors will react on a cancellation.

[BrokenVert]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JJM335]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Dammit. I feared this would happen. Understandable, though.

Looks like we wait another two weeks for F1 to start.

+1

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by escobar929

wish they would just push up the Australian GP by two weeks

Its hard for all the sponsors, delegates, team logistics, and fans to rebook and rearrage all the air tickets, hotels, etc in such a short notice.

Fans purchased tickets months before the race and should have everything arranged.

Teams logistics should have their second shipment (by ship freight) heading to Australia, usually they will utilize 2-3 sets of "shipments" ship to various locations. the more delicate items such as car tools, chassis, and etc will be by air-freight. Which charter flights from FOM were arranged a long time ago. just push everything ahead 2 weeks will cause massive chaos to literally everything.

also supporting races will have to adjust if this is to happen.

it is better to postpone now and either cancel or put Bahrain GP into the race after Abu Dhabi or one of the 4 weeks break mid-season.

[ADV.1 Matt]

Boo Hiss!!! I was looking forward hugely to this race!

[M_Six]

Hopefully things stay peaceful in Abu Dhabi.

[Caddyshk]

Move it to Libya

[matrix76]

I too do not see how any rescheduling would work. There is just so much work that goes into hosting an F1 race. Very disappointing the race will not be run, but like mentioned, more serious issues at stake.

[Mahmood07]

I'm glad most people here see the Human part of it. Hopefully we will have unity and reforms soon in Bahrain! To the guy worrying about peace in Abu Dhabi, Don't! That is literally the last place on earth where people will want to revolt.

[GAM3OVR85]

Originally Posted by Mahmood07

I'm glad most people here see the Human part of it. Hopefully we will have unity and reforms soon in Bahrain! To the guy worrying about peace in Abu Dhabi, Don't! That is literally the last place on earth where people will want to revolt.

+1

[Mahmood07]

Originally Posted by MTL Bimmer

+1

Btw, for putting the flag as ur avatar! truly appreciate it..

[E90SLAM]

Licensing Fees for Bahrain organizers were waived by Bernie...indicating he does have common sense once a while...he said "The King does not need people like me stabbing him in the back" (He meant someone else will???)

Bernie Ecclestone will not charge the Bahrain authorities the $40 million licensing fee which is strictly still payable despite the cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

"Nobody gains from this," Ecclestone told the Times. "I want to be loyal to the King [of Bahrain], because he is doing everything he can to put things right with his people. He doesn't need people like me stabbing him in the back.

"Right from the start, we talked about the problems there, and he was straight with me. I am not there and I do not know properly what problems they are having. But the King was concerned about Formula One and our safety, which is why he took the decision to call off the race."

Ecclestone said he was not sure whether the local organisers were insured against the losses incurred as a result of the cancellation, but argued if they were then they should be covered. "It is similar to if an earthquake had struck," he said. "No one could have foreseen that a month ago.

"If and when it is rescheduled they will pay their usual fee," he added. "There's never been an extra fee to stage the first race or the last race for that matter. We put the calendar together to suit the sport."

He told the Daily Telegraph he would do his best to reschedule the race.

"What has happened in Bahrain is desperately sad but one month ago everyone was looking forward to the race," he said. "No one had a problem with it then. If everything is peaceful, which we hope it will be, then we will try our best to fit it in."

http://en.espnf1.com/bahrain/motorsp...ory/41623.html

[flyboy66]

Originally Posted by Mahmood07

I'm glad most people here see the Human part of it. Hopefully we will have unity and reforms soon in Bahrain! To the guy worrying about peace in Abu Dhabi, Don't! That is literally the last place on earth where people will want to revolt.

^^^+1

[gary88]

Sucks that the start of the season is being pushed back, but the needs of a nation's people should most definitely come before entertainment. Plus this gives the teams some more development time, should be a great opener in Australia

[GregTheStig]

Hey did you guys hear this? It might be back on after all...

[Blake]

i saw this coming....