The inaugural Indian Grand Prix could be delayed by several weeks to make way for Bahrain’s return to the Formula 1 calendar, according to paddock rumours.
A decision is set to made in a couple of weeks time as to if and when the Bahrain GP will be reinstated. The original season opener was postponed following an outbreak of violence in the country.
A state of emergency was declared in the country on March 15th but its set to come to an end on June 1st, just two days before the FIA’s extended deadline for a decision on whether or not the race will be held this season.
With the deadline approaching fast, and Bernie Ecclestone’s enthusiasm for F1 to return to the gulf state, the likeliest outcome will be that the race can go ahead in 2011.
That presents an issue of when the race could be held. According to sources, the race would replace the Indian GP, planned for October 30th.
This would provide the organisers of the Budhh International Circuit precious time to complete their facilties which look to be behind schedule, despite the private construction company, Jaypee, denying such rumours.
The Bahrain GP would therefore slot in between South Korea and close neighbour, Abu Dhabi, lessening the impact on the logistics involved in shoehorning in a race with little notice.
India would then become the season finale as it would move to a December 4th slot, following on from Brazil on November 27th.
