03/09/2011
NEWS STORY
Organizers in Bahrain have said they were happy to swap places on the 2012 calendar with the Indian event.
In the calendar issued by the World Motor sport council on 3 June, Bahrain scheduled to host the season opener on 11 March, while India was scheduled for 28 October.
In a subsequent calendar proposed by Bernie Ecclestone, Bahrain had been moved to 4 November and India to 22 April.
In a brief statement issued today, organizers in Bahrain said they were happy to be able to assist the latest addition to the F1 calendar.
The statement read:
"Following a request from the Indian Grand Prix organizers to FOM on a date change, The Bahrain International Circuit announced today that it welcomes the date switch with India to host the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix on the 22nd of April 2012. The announcement was declared after officials from the Indian Grand Prix organizer raised some concern to FOM in hosting the race in April. The Bahrain international circuit has always worked in supporting the Formula One family and to do what is best for the sport. We look forward to welcoming back all the teams, drivers, organizer, and fans in 2012."
It is widely believed that Ecclestone moved Bahrain to later in the year in 2012 in the hope that the civil unrest that eventually caused the cancellation of this year's event will have been resolved.