Bahrain Officially Off

The request to hold a Bahrain Grand Prix in 2011 has been officially withdrawn by the event's organisers.

The race was initially due to be the season opener earlier this year, but was postponed due to political unrest in the region.

Last week it was announced that the race would be rescheduled for the end of October, but this decision was not received well, and was protested by teams, fans and politicians.

Formula One is expected to return to Bahrain in 2012.

For more, visit www.autosport.com

FOTA Confirm Bahrain Stance

It is believed that the Formula One Team's Association (FOTA) has written to the FIA, Formula One management and the organisers of the Bahrain Grand Prix, explaining that their members do not wish to participate in the race in Bahrain on 30 October.

FOTA represent 11 of the 12 teams (only Hispania are not part of the organisation), and are therefore a key player in this disagreement.

Meanwhile, in an interview with BBC Radio 4, former president of the FIA, Max Moseley has suggested that the governing body is not able to amend the date of a Grand Prix without the approval of all the teams.

For more on this story, visit www.autosport.com

Could Pirelli Be Decider In Bahrain Debate?

The BBC's Andrew Benson has explained on his blog that teams, sponsors and drivers are still just as concerned as ever about holding the Bahrain Grand Prix this year.

Just days after the FIA and WMSC agreed that the Grand Prix would be reinstated, opposition to the current regime in the Country have called for a "Day Of Rage" to be held during the event.

As Benson explains, it is not without precedent for teams to boycott a race. In the mid 80's, Renault and Ligier refused to participate in the South African Grand Prix, due to the apartheid which was taking place at the time. Additionally, some of the sponsors of teams which did participate insisted that their logos were removed from the cars.

It is believed that Pirelli are one of the companies strongest in their opposition in the reinstatement of the Grand Prix, and if they refuse to provide tyres to the circuit, then it seems unlikely that a race could go ahead at all...

To read the blog in full, visit www.bbc.co.uk/blogs

Webber Reacts To Bahrain Return

Red Bull's Mark Webber has spoken out against the FIA's decision to reinstate the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Australian, who rarely hides his true feelings, used his website to write a message saying that he hopes Formula One can return to the region in future years, but not until the current situation of unrest is resolved.

"As a competitor I do not feel at all comfortable going there to
compete in an event when, despite reassurances to the contrary, it
seems inevitable that it will cause more tension for the people of that
country. I don't understand why my sport wishes to place itself in a
position to be a catalyst for that."

For more on this story, and for the full statement, visit www.markwebber.com

2012 Schedule Announced

The calendar for the 2012 season has been announced today, even though the 2011 schedule still features some question marks over dates!

The season will feature 21 races - a record for Formula One - commencing in Bahrain in March, and finishing in Brazil in November.

The new United States Grand Prix will take place in June, but May's Turkish Grand Prix is still "subject to confirmation".

For the full schedule, visit www.formula1.com

Bahrain To Rejoin 2011 Calendar

The FIA announced today that the Bahrain Grand Prix - which was postponed earlier in the year due to political unrest in the region - will now take place on 30 October 2011.

The inaugral Indian Grand Prix was originally due to be held on this date, but has now been moved to December and will become the final round of the 2011 season. Some critics have suggested that this may be a welcomed move by the Indian authorities, as the circuit may not have been ready for it's original date.

The head of the FIA, Jean Todt, commissioned a 'fact-finding mission' to discover the current political situation in Bahrain. Following this, the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) voted unanimously in favour of reinstating the Grand Prix. The FIA claim that this decision "reflects the spirit of reconciliation in Bahrain".

There must, however, be concerns as to whether teams, drivers, mechanics, fans, media and sponsors will want to attend the Bahrain Grand Prix where the Country has still not returned to complete stability, and Human Rights abuses are still being reported.

The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) will no doubt make a decision regarding this in the near future. However, many teams and individuals have spoken out about the situation, including Red Bull's Mark Webber, and Renault boss Eric Boullier.

For more information regarding the announcement from the FIA, visit www.formula1.com

New Bahrain Date Unlikely

It appears likely that the Bahrain Grand Prix will not be able to be rescheduled as previously hoped.

A state of emergency has been declared in the Nation, with no end to the political protests in sight.

A deadline of mid-May had been for Bahrain to decide whether they wanted to reschedule the race, but this now looks highly unlikely.

For more, see www.autosport.com

Bahrain Grand Prix Off

It has been confirmed that the Bahrain Grand Prix has been canceled by the race organisers.

It is unclear yet whether the race can be held later in the year due to the busy schedule.

It is suggested that the final test session will be held at Barcelona, instead of the increasingly unstable Bahrain.

The first race of the season will now be held in Australia, as it has been in the past.

For more, see www.autosport.com

Testing Day 3 & Bahrain Update

With a possible sign that Mercedes troubles are not as bad as originally thought, Nico Rosberg set the fastest time in today's Barcelona test.

Vitaly Petrov was second fastest for Lotus-Renault, with Lewis Hamilton putting a McLaren in the top three for the first time in a while.

Also, Autosport are reporting that the decision as to whether the Bahrain Grand Prix will go ahead will be made tomorrow, so many people interested in both Formula One and International politics will be waiting on this decision with great interest.

For more, see www.autosport.com

Bahrain Update

Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed that he will leave the decision of whether the Bahrain Grand Prix goes ahead to the Nation's Crown-Prince.

Former Formula One driver Alex Wurz said on his Twitter page:
@alex_wurz - "bahrain turns in2 contractual matter! 1st party to cancel race would loose cash, so every1 waits 4 'force majeure' i guess"

It has however been reported that I'd the race does go ahead, at least one team would boycott the event.

For more, see www.bbc.co.uk/sport

Testing Day 2 & News

Day two of Barcelona testing saw a similar result to the previous test, with Vettel once again the fastest.

Alguersuari was second fastest, with Alonso third, however they were within a second of the reigning World Champion, unlike Friday's times.

In other news, Michael Schumacher has said that he believes his Mercedes team can win a race, but he doubts they have enough for the Championship.

Legendary Formula One star Nikki Lauda has voiced his concerns regarding the Bahrain Grand Prix, saying that democracy should come before sport.

For more, see www.autosport.com www.bbc.co.uk/sport and www.bild.de

Ecclestone Presses Ahead

Bernie Ecclestone has caused conyroversy by trying to press ahead with the Bahrain tests and Grand Prix, despite the political unrest in the Nation.

Comedy legend Stephen Fry - @stephenfry - "Can't quite believe that with the ruthless treatment of Bahrain's protesters Ecclestone is talking about Grand Prix prospects there #Bahrain"

HRH The (fictional) Queen of England - @Queen_UK - "Get on the phone to your Queen, Bernie Ecclestone. #idiot"

Let us know your views by using the Comments field below!

More Bahrain Problems

This weekend's GP2 race which was due to be held in Bahrain has been cancelled by the events organisers, as the political situation in the Country continues to deteriorate.

The first week in March is due to see the Formula One teams arrive for the final pre-season test, prior to the first race of the season at the same track.

F1 Chief Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed that he will make a decision next week regarding whether the race will go-ahead as planned.

If the race does not go ahead in Bahrain, it is unlikely to be replaced. Therefore, Australia will likely hold the first Grand Prix of the new season.

Many motor racing personalities have used their Twitter accounts to give their views on what is going on:

Team Lotus Chief Technical Officer Mike Gascoyne - @MikeGascoyne - "GP2 race has been cancelled in Bahrain. Big uncertainty about testing there next week. Hope our GP2 guys get home safely"

BBC F1 Commentator Martin Brundle - @MBrundleF1 - "Bahrain GP2 now cancelled by their motorsport federation. No point second guessing F1GP in such volatile circumstances but doesn't look good"

"When Spa was cancelled for track issues in 1985 they ran it later in the year, but F1 schedule, comerciality (sic), + TV so much more complex now"

"I've been to Bahrain 9 times, always found it very calm and pleasant place to be. One of my favourite GPs so shocked to see the news reports"

BBC F1 Presenter Jake Humphrey - @jakehumphreyf1 - "It seems the situation is worsening and may have degenerate (sic) further. To be honest when things are this serious sport takes second place"

For more, see www.autosport.com and www.twitter.com

Bernie Expresses Bahrain Fears

F1 Chief Bernie Ecclestone had expressed concerns over the safety of the first race of the 2011 season.

There is growing political unrest in the region, and the Grand Prix has been mentioned by protesters as a potential global platform on which to make their point known.

Ecclestone confirmed it was too early to confirm whether the race could be called off, but the final pre-season tests are due to be held there early next month.

The situation will be monitored closely before a decision is made.

For more, see www.autosport.com