Ecclestone has November date in mind for Bahrain

UPDATE #2 This ESPN columnist essentially says the FIA should go and pound some of their sand for this year and see how the regime conducts itself between now and then.

05/02/11 The FIA on Monday gave the Bahrain government an extra month to secure a place for its Grand Prix on the 2011 Formula One calendar.

The original deadline of May 1 passed on Sunday, a day after the government issued a statement emphasizing its desire to hold the race this year. It's thought that Bahrain GP representatives and FIA president Jean Todt will meet in Turkey during this weekend's F1 race there.

An FIA statement said, "The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile has granted the Bahrain Motor Federation and the Bahrain International Circuit an extension until June 3rd, date of the FIA World Motor Sport Council [meeting] in Barcelona. This decision was taken after consultation with the relevant Bahraini authorities and Formula One Management, the international promoter."

05/02/11

Racing in the barren desert of Bahrain is not that popular, but it pays well

(GMM) A firm November date has been earmarked for a rescheduled Bahrain grand prix in 2011, according to the latest rumor.

The FIA is expected to chime in early this week, after the deadline for the possible rescheduling came and went on Sunday.

On that day, organizers of the Sakhir race – in an otherwise vague official statement – did not rule out hosting the event "in the very near future".

And in Bernie Ecclestone's latest press interview, the F1 chief executive still seemed happy to wait a bit longer for Bahrain's civil situation to improve.

"We need to see how the situation develops," he was quoted at the weekend by Germany's Die Welt.

"We will go there this year if the authorities can guarantee a peaceful and quiet race," added the Briton.