The Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix, postponed in March due to violent civil unrest, will go ahead on October 30 with India moving to the end of the season, the sport's governing FIA said on Friday. No date was set for the inaugural Indian race, which was originally scheduled for October 30, but it is most likely to be December 11 - which would be the latest finish to a championship since 1963. The season was due to end in Brazil on November 27.
"After considering all the factors and taking into consideration all stakeholders' concerns, the WMSC (world motor sport council) unanimously agreed to reinstate the Bahrain Grand Prix in the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship," an International Automobile Federation statement said. "The WMSC feels that reinstating the Grand Prix is a means of helping to unite people as the country looks to move forward."
The decision was highly controversial, with human rights campaigners calling for the Bahrain race to be called off entirely and the teams unhappy about the season extending well into December. The teams' association FOTA said in a statement that they acknowledged the decision taken, while indicating also that the matter was far from closed.
"That decision is likely to be discussed internally within FOTA, and a more detailed joint position may be defined after those discussions have taken place," it said. The FIA meeting in Barcelona followed a visit by Spanish FIA vice-president Carlos Gracia to the Gulf kingdom this week to assess the situation and meet officials and international organisations.
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