Initially planned as a season opener in the 2011 series, Bahrain was scrapped from the calendar following violent clashes between anti-government protesters and the local police. At the time, those clashes led to several deaths within the protesting units, causing members of the medical staff at Sakhir circuit to be relocated to the closest city of Manama.
Once the round was cancelled based on security reasons, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) gave the Bahrain officials until May 1st to give assurances that the round can be held at a later date in safe conditions.
And although reports in the international media suggest that protests are still ongoing in the Kingdom, F1 track chief Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa issued an official statement in which he confirms that security in the area is no longer a problem to be dealt with.
“Now that security has prevailed and normal life has returned to Bahrain, thanks to the wise leadership, we are stepping up contacts to host the race anew,” the Sheikh told the Bahrain News Agency.
After the FIA cancelled the Bahrain round from the F1 calendar, the series' chief executive Bernie Ecclestone told the media that he didn't charge the officials in the Kingdom any money for the scheduled event, as he hopes the venue would eventually host a round in 2011 later in the year. He then confirmed his full support for the race to be included in the F1 calendar this season, on a date to be determined.
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