2011 Bahrain Grand Prix
The Bahrain Grand Prix 2011 to be held on 13 March at the Bahrain International Circuit in as- Sachir and would be the first race of the Formula 1 season 2011 was.
On February 21, the race was canceled due to political unrest. Previously, a Formula 1 Grand Prix has never been canceled for political reasons.
Reports
Cancellation of the season opener
In February 2011, political protests began in Bahrain. After it had come on the morning of February 17 during protests in the Bahraini capital Manama four deaths, the GP2 Asia Series called off a planned from February 17 to 19 weekend. Since the medical staff was dismissed on the route to the capital, it was first necessary training and qualifying and finally the entire race weekend are canceled. Consequently, it was also a rejection of the Grand Prix, which was to take place three weeks later, not excluded.
Since the protests did not return in the next few days, there have been discussions within the Formula One Teams Association ( FOTA ), to relocate from 3 to 6 March planned test runs on a different route. Originally it was planned that some team members should remain in Bahrain in the period between the tests and the Grand Prix weekend.
After several days had been speculated by the media and teams on a rejection of the test runs and the race already, said Crown Prince Salman Al Khalifa, who held 50 percent of shares in the British team McLaren about a society from the race on February 21. Several countries, including Germany, France, Great Britain and Switzerland, had previously advised against " unnecessary travel ". The cancellation of the Grand Prix of Bahrain in 2011 was the first cancellation of a Formula 1 World Championship race for political reasons. Along with the cancellation of the Grand Prix also said the GP2 Asia Series, another race weekend, which should take place within the framework of program from.
The organizers were initially unclear whether the Grand Prix would be rescheduled at a later date. The Fédération Internationale de l' Automobile ( FIA) had welcomed in its opinion that the race weekend has been postponed.
Shift in the October and official rejection
On June 3, the FIA Motorsport World Council decided to catch the race on October 30. A day earlier, the largest opposition party in the country had supported the organization of the Grand Prix. The decision of the FIA came across some intense criticism from human rights organizations, drivers and team bosses. The former FIA president Max Mosley wrote in a column in the Sunday Telegraph, " the decision for the race is a mistake that will not be forgotten. The formula 1 is reserved to pay dearly, if not pick up this decision. "
On June 10, the race was part of the Bahrain organizers officially canceled.