The Formula One Teams’ Association (FOTA), have formally requested that the 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix be cancelled completely.
The association has confirmed today that they have written a letter to the FIA, the governing body, requesting the inaugural Indian GP be put back to its original October 30th slot, whilst the Bahrain GP be cancelled on logistical grounds.
Talks have been taking place between the FIA, FOTA, BIC and Bernie Ecclestone for the past 48 hours. Following the discussions, the latter changed his tune on Tuesday, calling for a re-vote.
“We listened to that report from the FIA that was saying there were no problems at all in Bahrain,” Ecclestone told the Times. “But that is not what I am hearing and I think we can see that we need to be careful.
“[It’s] better that we move Bahrain to the end of the season.”
Jean Todt also admitted the FIA would continue to monitor the situation in Bahrain and hinted that the decision could be reversed.
“If we have clear evidence that there is a risky situation this will obviously be taken into consideration,” he told the BBC.
It’s reported that FOTA aren’t against the race on ethical grounds, rather the logistical problems arising from a calendar which extends into December.
