By IANS,
Barcelona : The inaugural Indian Grand Prix will now be held anytime in December and will mark the end of the Formula One season. The FIA Friday accommodated the Bahrain race in October (28-30) when the New Delhi event was originally scheduled.
FIA’s Word Motor Sport Council met here and decided to give the go-ahead to Bahrain International Circuit, where the first race of the season was postponed due to anti-government protest. “The 2011 Formula 1 Grand Prix of India, which had been scheduled for Oct 28-30, will now become the season finale on a date to be determined,” F1 official website reported.
The decision also means the current F1 Championship will now comprise an unprecedented 20 rounds. Bahrain will now be the 17th race followed by Abu Dhabi (Nov 11-13) and Brazil (Nov 25-27).
“This is welcome news for all of Bahrain,” said Zayed R. Alzayani, Chairman of the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in a statement.
“As a country we have faced a difficult time, but stability has returned; with businesses operating close to normal, the State of National Safety lifted and countries removing travel restrictions.
“Collectively, we are in the process of addressing issues of national and international concern, and learning lessons from the recent past. By the time the Grand Prix arrives we will be able to remind the world about Bahrain at its best.”