Bahrain refuses to give up hope of rescheduling F1 grand prix

Sakhir (Bahrain), May 1(ANI): Bahrain International Circuit chairman Zayed Rashid Alzayani has said that he is hopeful of rescheduling the postponed Bahrain Grand Prix despite ongoing civil unrest in the country.

The grand prix was originally planned as the 2011 season opening race, but due to the political unrest and protests in the country, it was postponed.

Bahrain is currently under a state of emergency for three months and until the end of this period, it is believed that the decision of rescheduling the grand prix is out of question.

However, Alzayani said in the statement that conditions were getting better.

"The situation is evolving all the time; our day-to-day life is gradually improving under the current State of National Safety," the BBC quoted Alzayani, as saying in the statement.

"We look forward to welcoming the teams and drivers and everyone involved in Formula 1 back to Bahrain in the very near future," he added.

F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone had earlier said that Bahrain would be given more time to decide whether its grand prix could be rescheduled this year.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) had earlier announced that the management would come up with a decision before May 1, but due to the current situation in the country and uncertainty of the organizers, Bernie believes that this date should be pushed forward.

"We need to wait a bit to see exactly how much progress is made in Bahrain. I suppose we'd be safe by early June. Things can change in a couple of weeks. Everything might be peaceful in a month's time and they may be happy to run the event," Ecclestone had said. (ANI)