Troops from Saudi Arabia have recently been called by Bahrain's King to restore order in the country, as protesters have continuously clashed violently with the local police in recent weeks. The clashes led to several killings during the month of February, and fear that the protesters would use the F1 season opener to make their cause heard across the world has led to the canceling of the event in the first place.
According to Autosport, citing Bahrain's main television channel, it was today announced that the “King had authorized the commander of Bahrain's defense forces to take all necessary measures to protect the safety of the country and its citizens.”
Under the circumstances, it's hard to believe the officials in Bahrain will be able to convince the International Automobile Federation (FIA) by May 1 – the deadline set by the ruling body – that the country can ensure the necessary conditions for a rescheduling of the event later this year.
Earlier this year, when announcing the Bahrain Grand Prix axe, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone insisted that if the country can host the race later in the year, he'd have no problem rescheduling the event in 2011 (as he's targeting a 20-race calendar this season).
“If the Crown Prince is of the opinion that his country is able to host a race we will return to Bahrain,” he said at the time, according to Formula 1's official website.
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