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Riot-hit Bahrain has asked Formula 1's governing body to reschedule its 2011 GP during its meeting on Friday because it insists the country is returning to normal despite lasting political tension.
Zayed Rashid Alzayani, chairman of the Bahrain International Circuit on which the GP is raced, told Associated Press that the Gulf country was "ready to hold the race today".
Alzayani hoped a date could be found in October or November around the November 13 Abu Dhabi GP so teams wouldn't need to go back and forth to Europe or some other destination.
'BACK TO NORMAL'
This was the first time Bahrain had formally said its Bahrain Motor Federation had proposed rescheduling the race that should have been run in March 2011 but was cancelled by Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa because of anti-government protests and violence.
"We feel we are in position to have that event back," Alzayani said. "Things have calmed down tremendously in Bahrain. Life is back to normal. We are happy to have the race any time really."
However some team principals, including Ferrari's Stefano Domenicali, have expressed concern about extending the season to December 11 because of logistical challenges. Alzayani dismissed such concerns, noting that the 2011 season would still be a week shorter since it started two weeks late.
"If the World Council decides to have a race, the teams will have to come," he said. "A, they get paid; B, they have to score points. It's not like there will be a race and no teams will show up."
ANGER OVER ECCLESTONE
If, and when, the race goes ahead will be decided during Friday's World Motor Sport Council meeting in Barcelona.
F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has led a campaign to reschedule the race but in doing so has angered some local and international rights groups who feel it would essentially condone the country's violent crackdown on protesters. At least 30 people have been killed since the protests began in February, inspired by revolts against autocratic leaders in Tunisia and Egypt.
The difference in Bahrain is that they took on a sectarian tone, with the majority Shi'ite protesters taking to streets to demonstrate against the Sunni-led kingdom as well as widespread discrimination. Authorities responded with a heavy hand, imposing a three-month emergency rule as well as ordering closed-door trials and mass detentions of hundreds of protesters, activists and others.
With the fate of the Bahrain GP hanging in the balance, the government loosed its grip somewhat. It announced plans to lift the emergency law as of Wednesday, and on Tuesday King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa expressed a willingness to resume talks with protest factions.
But for rights groups, conditions are not ripe for a major sporting event.
Zayed Rashid Alzayani, chairman of the Bahrain International Circuit on which the GP is raced, told Associated Press that the Gulf country was "ready to hold the race today".
Alzayani hoped a date could be found in October or November around the November 13 Abu Dhabi GP so teams wouldn't need to go back and forth to Europe or some other destination.
'BACK TO NORMAL'
This was the first time Bahrain had formally said its Bahrain Motor Federation had proposed rescheduling the race that should have been run in March 2011 but was cancelled by Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa because of anti-government protests and violence.
"We feel we are in position to have that event back," Alzayani said. "Things have calmed down tremendously in Bahrain. Life is back to normal. We are happy to have the race any time really."
However some team principals, including Ferrari's Stefano Domenicali, have expressed concern about extending the season to December 11 because of logistical challenges. Alzayani dismissed such concerns, noting that the 2011 season would still be a week shorter since it started two weeks late.
"If the World Council decides to have a race, the teams will have to come," he said. "A, they get paid; B, they have to score points. It's not like there will be a race and no teams will show up."
ANGER OVER ECCLESTONE
If, and when, the race goes ahead will be decided during Friday's World Motor Sport Council meeting in Barcelona.
F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has led a campaign to reschedule the race but in doing so has angered some local and international rights groups who feel it would essentially condone the country's violent crackdown on protesters. At least 30 people have been killed since the protests began in February, inspired by revolts against autocratic leaders in Tunisia and Egypt.
The difference in Bahrain is that they took on a sectarian tone, with the majority Shi'ite protesters taking to streets to demonstrate against the Sunni-led kingdom as well as widespread discrimination. Authorities responded with a heavy hand, imposing a three-month emergency rule as well as ordering closed-door trials and mass detentions of hundreds of protesters, activists and others.
With the fate of the Bahrain GP hanging in the balance, the government loosed its grip somewhat. It announced plans to lift the emergency law as of Wednesday, and on Tuesday King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa expressed a willingness to resume talks with protest factions.
But for rights groups, conditions are not ripe for a major sporting event.