New car news

21 February 2011 - 16:50

It’s official: Bahrain GP cancelled

Organisers have cancelled the first race of the Formula One season in Bahrain.

Following anti-government protests in the country, Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa has called off the event, which was scheduled for March 13.

The Bahrain Information Affairs Authority announced the Crown Prince's intention to cancel via its Twitter site, quoting: "Bahrain's priority is on overcoming tragedy, healing divisions and rediscovering the fabric that draws this country together.

"At the present time the country's entire attention is focused on building a new national dialogue for Bahrain."

Bernie Ecclestone said: "It is sad that Bahrain has had to withdraw from the race. We wish the whole nation well as they begin to heal their country."

No new date has been set for the Bahrain GP, which has been a fixture on the F1 calendar since 2004. The first race of the F1 season will now be the Australian GP on March 27, held in Melbourne - though another politician has waded in for a slap at the Victorian event.

2011's F1 cars revealed - in pics

After Melbourne's Lord Mayor recently criticised the event, the race has now been attacked by MP Michael Danby, whose Melbourne Ports constituency includes Albert Park.

Danby told parliament: "The Grand Prix may have been a good deal in 1996, when it cost the government only $1.7 million; but, with falling crowd numbers and taxpayers footing a $50 million-a-year bill, the government should cut its losses and walk away.

"Rising costs, dwindling crowds, fed-up local residents, an ambivalent Melbourne mayor... to me, everything points to Melbourne saying ‘thanks for the memories' but gracefully declining to renew the Grand Prix contract." Bernie won't cop that, surely...