THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MANAMA, Bahrain — The controversial Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix has been cancelled for 2011, with local organizers announcing Friday they would not pursue plans to stage the rescheduled event on Oct. 30.
Bahrain International Circuit chairman Zayed R Alzayani issued a statement saying "it has been made clear that this fixture cannot progress and we fully respect that decision."
The Bahrain GP was originally scheduled to open the F1 season in March but was cancelled due to political unrest. Last week, F1’s world governing body announced a new date for the Bahrain GP in October, sparking criticism from teams, fans and some administrators.
"Bahrain has absolutely no desire to see a race which would further extend the calendar season detract from the enjoyment of F1 for either drivers, teams or supporters," Alzayani said. "We want our role in Formula One to continue to be as positive and constructive as it has always been, therefore, in the best interest of the sport, we will not pursue the rescheduling of a race this season."
Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone had been urged Thursday to re-examine the decision to restore the race to this year’s calendar.
In an open letter sent to the Formula One Teams Association, FIA President Jean Todt said the decision to hold the Bahrain race on Oct. 30 could be revised after teams objected because of logistical and insurance reasons.
"I have listened to your last-minute objections and have asked the commercial rights-holder (Ecclestone) to re-examine his calendar proposal, and if necessary, to resubmit a revised proposal to the world council (FIA)," Todt wrote.
Following assurances by government ministers and organizers that the race could go ahead safely despite ongoing anti-government protests in the Gulf kingdom, the Bahrain GP was last week given a green light for October, with the inaugural Indian GP, scheduled for that date, moved to the final round of the 20-race calendar.
But following a conference call involving all the F1 teams on Monday, FOTA wrote to Todt, Ecclestone and Bahrain GP organizers on Tuesday, claiming the changes to the calendar would "undermine our scheduled transport plans" and "raise insurance problems."
FOTA also highlighted articles in F1’s International Sporting Code, in particular stating that changes to the calendar couldn’t be made without the unanimous approval of all the teams.
"The FIA always has at heart the smooth running of the championship and the interests of the teams," Todt wrote in a letter to FOTA chairman Martin Whitmarsh and vice chairman Eric Boullier, the team principals of McLaren and Renault respectively.
At least 30 people have been killed since February during the unrest in Bahrain.
Ecclestone told the BBC on Wednesday that, despite last week’s calendar changes, "the schedule cannot be rescheduled without the agreement of the participants."
"Hopefully we can return (to Bahrain) in the future, but of course it’s not on," Ecclestone said.