20/02/2012
NEWS STORY
Though many still feel that F1 shouldn't be in Bahrain this year, organisers there claim the event should have kicked off the 2012 season.
Since it first hosted Formula One in 2004, Bahrain has been the scene of the season opener twice, in 2006 and again 2010. It was scheduled to also host the season opener in 2011, but, as we all know, this was not to be.
While this year's event appears to be going ahead, at least according to Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA, organisers are a bit miffed that their race is the fourth on the calendar.
"I think Formula One should start the world championship in a time zone that makes sense," says Isa Al Khalifa, chief executive of the Bahrain Grand Prix, according to The National. "We have a lot of support in Europe for our grand prix and to start in Australia, where it is 2am or 3am in Europe - that to me doesn't make sense.
"To start in Bahrain would have made sense because it is the perfect time," he added. "That to me is the strongest thing, you don't have to offer anything (financially).
"Hosting the first race, you benefit obviously by people talking about you in the lead up to the start of the season," he added. "Now we are going to be after China so our event will come into play only after the third round. For us, it is important to host the race and we plan to make it a success."